Tagesmeldung vom 24.02.2026

Törn 0909 | Westindische Inselwelt
Nach Bermuda

Position 26°53,0′ N|074°04,3′ W
Kurs, Speed 057 | 5,5kn
Etmal 131nm
Wind NNW – 5bft
Luftdruck 1019 hpa
Bedeckung 3/8
Temp (L/W) 19°C, 22°C

Heading: Modern Piracy
Author: Matilda
Position: Between the Bahamas and Bermuda
Nautical Position: 26°53,0’N 74°04,3’W
Course: 057°
Etmal: 131sm
Average Speed: 5,5kn

When I first saw our ship in a photo, I thought, “Wow, that looks like a real pirate ship!” It has 17 sails and two masts. It looks as if we’ve traveled back in time and might be welcomed by fearsome pirates with eye patches, hooks instead of hands, and parrots on their shoulders.

However, this is just a fictional image of pirates that does not reflect reality – and of course certainly not our reality on the Roald.

Today, Milena taught us about modern piracy in her pathway presentation. We learned that piracy has existed for thousands of years, as long as people have traveled and traded by sea. Throughout history, various groups have attacked ships and coastal settlements for economic or political reasons. For example, the Vikings carried out raids across Europe, some of which would today be described as acts of piracy. However, they were not pirates in the narrow sense, since they were also traders, explorers, and settlers. The pirates we usually picture — those operating in the Caribbean during the so-called “Golden Age of Piracy” (17th and early 18th centuries) — represent just one chapter in the long and complex history of piracy.

What many people do not realize is that piracy still exists today. Modern pirates do not use large wooden sailing ships anymore. Instead, they typically operate from larger “mother ships” and use fast, small motorboats to approach their targets. This allows them to attack vessels far from the coast. Once they identify a suitable ship, they use speedboats to intercept and board it.

But why does piracy still occur today?

Several factors contribute to modern piracy. Highly profitable international shipping routes, weak law enforcement, corruption, and poverty in certain regions create conditions in which piracy can thrive. In some countries, long periods of political instability and limited economic opportunities have made maritime crime more attractive. This has been particularly evident off the coast of Somalia and in parts of the Gulf of Guinea, where pirate attacks have occurred in recent decades.

What are the economic consequences?

When a ship is attacked, shipping companies may lose valuable cargo, and crew members can be taken hostage for ransom. Even if no attack occurs, the threat of piracy increases costs. Ships may take longer and more expensive routes to avoid high-risk areas. In addition, companies must invest in security measures and higher insurance premiums. All of this leads to higher transportation costs, which can ultimately make goods more expensive for consumers. Some ports and trade routes also become less attractive if they are located near areas with frequent pirate activity.

But why do we still imagine pirates as adventurous heroes rather than violent criminals?

The romanticized image of pirates mainly comes from literature and film. One of the most influential works was the novel Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson, which shaped the classic image of pirates with treasure maps, wooden legs, and hidden gold. In the 20th century, Hollywood further popularized this adventurous version. Swashbuckling actors like Errol Flynn portrayed daring, charming sea heroes in historical adventure films, blending piracy with heroism and romance. More recently, fictional characters like Captain Jack Sparrow of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies have reinforced the image of pirates as witty, rebellious, and somehow lovable characters.

These stories focus on adventure, freedom, and rebellion against authority, while largely ignoring the historical reality of violence, theft, and suffering. As a result, our cultural imagination often celebrates pirates as symbols of independence and excitement, even though real piracy — both in the past and today — is a serious crime with dangerous consequences.

The presentation showed us that “real” pirates still exist — but they are very different from the romanticized image many people have. Instead of sailing ships, they use motorboats; instead of swords, they carry modern weapons; and instead of old maps, they rely on GPS technology.