A backpacker crewing his way to Egypt is just the latest victim for Somali pirates. He was shot dead wrestling with his attackers on a yacht. Yachts are the Somalis' favorite target but they will also go after rusting freighters being towed.
Why is piracy getting big? Well, duh, there's no one left on land to kidnap. So the clans set their sights at sea. Somali pirates nabbed two Finnish pleasure craft sailors in April 1999 off the coast of the country, and in June, four German yachtsmen were seized by high-seas kidnappers operating under the umbrella of the Somali Salvation Democratic Front faction. All the sailors were later released after intervention from clan elders. Pirates in Somalia fancy speedboats and will pretend they are officials on official business. Who would know the difference? If you're skippering anything more luxurious than an inner tube, make a wide tack from the Horn. Or you could end with more than a three-hour tour.
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