Although the world’s attention has been recently drawn to pirate attacks in Somalia and elsewhere in the northwestern Indian Ocean, the threat in the Eastern Hemisphere remains significant, even if out of sight and mind of news agencies.
Recently, a Japanese tuna trawler was raided by a group known as the “pirates of the sea” in waters off the coast of central Peru. The Kenyu Mar II, crewed by only 15 people, was taken by surprise when the raiders boarded their ship. The pirates ambushed the ship by aproaching in two rowboats, which when operated stealthily, can be impossible to detect without proper equipment or security.
The unarmed crew was easily overwhelmed by the group of 20 marauders, who quickly tied their hands and feat. The pirates then proceeded to make off with the ships communication equipment, as well as the crew’s money and cellular phones.
Perhaps the most disturbing fact is that the ship was anchored only 3 miles (5 kilometers) off the Callao, which is Peru’s main port and is part of Lima’s metropolitan area.