In article , Larry wrote:

I caught hell on here for saying so just last week. I was told that
pirates attack SHIP, not defenseless yachties with money.

I still say this is not so....especially nearshore in 3rd world countries
where such things that might upset touristas is never reported, much less
publicized.

That's not strictly piracy, is it? Four machete wielding thugs jump in a RIB
and head out to a yacht anchored 200 yards off... They're just as likely to
have used a metal bar to smash the window of a hire car, or snatch a purse or
camera bag. They're thugs, or muggers. Opportunists? Yes, pirates? No.

A definition I have he "A pirate is one who robs or plunders at sea". Being
in sight of land isn't "at sea", at least that's not how I define it. In fact,
UK coast-guard[1] defines anything within 12 miles as "in-shore", so "at sea"
doesn't start until *at least* 12 miles off shore. If you have an alternative
definition, that allows for the theft of Jimmy's ice-cream money by two 12
year olds while Jimmy is on his way along the beach to buy an ice-cream, to be
classed as piracy, then go ahead, share it.


I just can't imagine some filthy rich, ugly Americans sailing their Hey-
I've-Got-It-And-This-Proves-It yacht into some rathole full of shacks and
them telling me they're not going to get hit. It's stupid!

Again, this isn't piracy. It's mugging, theft, or robbery.

Justin.

1: Being English this is my reference, if, in the US, your terminology is
different, I'd be happy to hear about it. It'd be handy to know for when I
eventually make that crossing.
--
Justin C, by the sea.