by I_Like_Plants » Sun 12 Jun 2005, 18:41:46
Piracy is a HUGE problem even now, in these good times.
There's a little magazine called "Santana, Southern California's Sailing Rag" which is free in Newport Beach, you might be able to find their address and order a subscription, every issue is full of real-life stories and concerns and Q&A, and I swear, every issue has stories of stuff going on on the high seas that makes me want to stay at home!
If you're considering going sea-mobile, you'd better get a sub to that and read it, or walk the plank!
I think there may be some sites on the net by/for sailors too, the open ocean is NOT a friendly place, and especially not for overfed, soft, "Western" people who have no idea who a tough place the world can be. I think there's a book out called "The Outlaw Sea" about the general lawlessness of most of the world's shipping, and it probably discusses piracy too.
My impression is, the average American boat-owner deciding to sail the world may be analogous to Pee Wee Herman going to NYC to be a bike messenger.