DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The U.S. Navy is warning of increased pirate activity off the coast of Somalia due to the advent of weather more favorable to the sea-borne criminals.

The Navy says high seas in the Gulf of Aden had resulted in fewer attacks in recent weeks.

With the monsoon season ending in four to six weeks pirate activity is expected to increase, the Navy said in a statement Monday.

The Navy advised mariners to use a designated corridor when transiting the Gulf of Aden. The corridor is patrolled by 30 warships, supported by aircraft from 16 nations.

Somali pirates carried out hundreds of attacks this year. They currently hold around a dozen ships awaiting ransom payments.

Source: Associated Press
Monday, July 27, 2009

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