In response the United States Navy supporting Operation Enduring Freedom dispatched the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise and three other ships with orders to free the hostages.

Superyachts and pirates. LONDON England-- A military-grade laser that blinds temporarily is the latest security technology available to wealthy superyacht owners afraid of pirate attacks. Although the pirates have concentrated on commercial vessels they have targeted superyachts in the past. Piracy fears are stopping superyacht owners from sailing Piracy fears are stopping superyacht owners from sailing between the Mediterranean and the Gulf where they split their time each year.

The high seas in the world of superyachts the threat of pirate attacks is all too real. The SY Quest incident occurred in February 2011 when Somali Pirates seized the American yacht SY Quest and four United States citizens. Risks to superyacht owners include theft and burglary being photographed by paparazzi personal attacks and abduction and even being attacked by pirates.

Piracy is an ongoing concern in many parts of the world and most pirates would seize an opportunity to capture and ransom a high-value target such as a super yacht and even better one with high-profile individuals on-board. This sudden control of power in remote locations can support with the groups financial or sometimes idealistic objectives. Pirates have attacked superyachts in the past -- French vessel Le Ponant was seized in early April as it was sailing without passengers from the Seychelles to the Mediterranean -- but there are no.

In 2008 the 88m Le Ponant and the Carre dAs were both attack and seized by pirates and their crews held hostage. Modern-day wannabe pirates dont have to forgo about the luxury creature comforts whenever they go to sea. And in some areas such as along the coast of Africa in the Gulf of Aden and in the Indian Ocean its.

All they need is a couple of hundred millions dollars and up to three years of. Pirates and armed robbers attacked 43 ships and captured 58 seafarers in the first quarter of 2017 slightly more than the same period last year according to the IMB. When the pirates realise they cant get to the crew or sail the boat they give up and flee the scene.

Instead they have them shipped on cargo vessels says Erwin Bamps the chief operating officer of the UAE boatbuilder Gulf Craft. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. While literature and cinema might romanticize pirates on the high seas in the world of superyachts the threat of pirate attacks is all too real.