Dear members of the maritime community:
The threat to mariners posed by pirates seems to be getting worse by the day. The number of mariners held hostage by pirates is now about 800, with their time in captivity averaging six months. And the recent killings by pirates of four people aboard a private yacht indicate just how high the stakes have risen.
Despite international efforts to counter the pirates, including a multinational flotilla of warships and aircraft patrolling the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, the problems seem to be getting worse not better.
What do you think the solution should be? Professional Mariner would like to hear from you. We invite you to submit an article, based on your professional experience and knowledge, about what needs to be done to end this intolerable threat to commercial vessels and their crews. The magazine will publish a selection of these submissions in an upcoming issue of the magazine. The aim will be to present to our readership a sampling of the most informed, practical and imaginative thinking on this crucial issue.
The deadline for submission is March 15. Articles should be 400 words or less. Please email them to jgormley@profressionstg.wpengine.com
The editors reserve the right to decide which articles to publish. An honorarium of $120 will be paid to the authors of the articles chosen.
John Gormley
Editor
Professional Mariner
