Legal Definitions - Piracy (Maritime)

Definition: Piracy refers to the act of non-state actors committing war-like acts against ships. This can include hijacking, robbery, and kidnapping of crew members. In the United States, piracy is governed by admiralty law, which is a set of laws that regulate maritime activities. Piracy is prohibited by both United States and international law.

For example, in recent years, there have been several incidents of piracy off the coast of Somalia. Somali pirates have hijacked commercial ships and taken crew members hostage in exchange for ransom payments. These acts of piracy have caused significant economic and security concerns for the international community.

Prosecuting pirates presents several international law problems. For example, it is unclear whether and to what extent pirates should be treated differently from normal criminals. This is because piracy is often committed in international waters, which makes it difficult to determine which country has jurisdiction over the crime.

Overall, piracy is a serious crime that poses a threat to the safety and security of ships and their crew members. It is important for countries to work together to prevent and prosecute acts of piracy in order to maintain the safety and security of maritime activities.