The International Maritime Organization (IMO) marked its annual World Maritime Day celebration today with a collective call-to-action to the United Nations, world governments, military forces and even shipowners and crews reminding them that they all play an integral role in helping rid the world of modern-day piracyonthehighseas, especially off the coast of Somalia and Indian Ocean.
In some cases, the British government actually commissioned seamen to commit acts of piracy, but with one catch: They were charged to prey only upon Spaniards, British rivals onthehighseas and in the New World, and turn over a large portion of the stolen loot to the government.