How Pirates Evade Warships

Somali pirates are having little trouble evading the warships of the world.Their piracy is at an all-time high;it already exceeds the level for all 2008.Just how are they managing to persist in the face of the world's navies?One Dutch naval officer pointed out that piracy could be a problem as long as Somalia remains unstable.The pirates are aided by the vast areas involved.No amount of warships can cover that much ocean.Then there is western countries' concern for due process.They just can't blow the civilian pirates out of the water.Often,when pirates see the warships coming,they dump their weapons overboard.As well,the warships are afraid of harming the pirates' hostages,the Dutch officer indicated.Within the shipping community,there are mixed views of arming merchant vessels.Some ships are now carrying armed guards;others remain opposed to this,as does the U.N.For all these reasons,military presence alone will not resolve the piracy issue.
Among U.S. vessels on anti-piracy patrol have been the USS Gettysburg(CG64)and the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Boutwell.Both ships arrested suspected pirates.