Maritime piracy has been a big matter confronting the international sphere and overseas sectors for hundreds of years. No longer are the pirates seeking treasure or gold, however. Piracy these days target vessels carrying goods or oil, and furthermore personnel have been taken as hostages.

Global endeavors to address piracy have been met with renewed strike strategies as opposed to a reduction of these frightening events. If you've been the victim of a maritime piracy event, a maritime lawyer is there to help you determine whether or not you have a legal claim.

What Is Maritime Piracy?

Modern pirate incidents vary from what is on Tv or in the movies. At this time, these criminals use more state-of-the-art weaponry and most frequently strike from smaller motorboats. Since 2007, hundreds of ships have been targeted and crew members taken as hostages.

In 1982, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea classified maritime piracy as a criminal violent act, detention or devastation for personal gain by personnel of a private ship or aircraft against another ship or aircraft or its contents on water.

These modern incidents are well known in areas off the coast of Somalia and Nigeria, as well as in between India and Sri Lanka, a region once known as The Pirate Coast. Maritime lawyers have the ability to assist victims of maritime piracy against a vessel associated with an American company or a U.S.-flagged vessel, who might be eligible for settlement under the Jones Act or other legislation.

Global Outcomes Of Maritime Piracy

With the escalating incidents of pirate attacks on worldwide industry vessels, costs for companies that do overseas business are escalating. Insurance rates and cargo rates are mounting, as well as the heightened cost of rerouting ships and paying ransoms for hostage personnel.

Present-day methods for fighting pirate activity are principally defensive in approach, including on-board deterrents such as security alert systems, fire hoses, deck patrols, electric screens and private marine security guards. More than 12 nations have also amplified naval deployments and partnered with anti-piracy patrols in highly trafficked areas for small maritime criminal organizations.

The outcomes of these increased measures are considered temporary fixes, rather than targeting the issue of political and economic unrest in the countries these gangs originate from.

Can You File A Maritime Piracy Claim?

American citizens employed by American companies that have been victims of maritime piracy incidents have options for compensation contingent upon on the conditions of the event. Problems of lack of security or other claims of carelessness may make the worker eligible for settlement in accordance to U.S. maritime law.

Settlement may very well be viable for maintenance and cure payment, in addition to other settlements. An expert maritime attorney can potentially assist you to confirm whether a victim of piracy is a candidate to file a claim under U.S or other laws and to what magnitude compensation may be viable.