Similar situation happened to us in 2000, it's been a crapshoot for years there. Everyone always poopaahs those who worry about such things, it's "rare". Sure, but when it's "you" it doesn't matter how RARE it is!
For you folks who say "just stay away from dangerous places". Could you tell me exactly how far away we should stay? Are there Union, or geographical rules for Pirates?
I understand, in the
Indian ocean, Somali pirates, on their Mother ships, ventured up to 800 miles from
Somalia.
It's easy to say "stay away" for those of you who live in warm, first world, countries, where there might be a million square miles of "safe" ocean, on which to
cruise. But for those who
cruise the Caribbean, "Safe" is relative.
St Lucia, esp Rodney Bay, isn't really "safe". St Thomas, on land, at night?
Honduras?
Guatemala, even up the river?
Nicaragua?
Columbia? There are lots of incidences with regards to violence against Cruisers in all these places, several murders too. Some while ashore, and some while at
anchor, or under way.
These are places that are very popular with cruisers, so if you avoid "unsafe" areas, you're going to miss a lot of the Caribbean.
I think to say "avoid unsafe areas", makes a lot of sense, until you have to define unsafe. Everywhere is "safe" until something happens... then it's not "safe". So, how long until it's "safe" again?
Those who cruise the Pacific are spoiled for "Safe areas", at least until you reach
indonesia, you have to search pretty hard to find
recurring violence against cruisers.
For the rest of us, I'd suggest having some way to defend yourself. It's a difficult subject, and many forms of "defence" are illegal in many countries. To each his/her own.
But for me. "Just don't go" doesn't
work, most of the time.
Cheers, and be safe out there.

Paul.