Successful and Unsuccessful Pirate Attacks Worldwide: A Situational Analysis. (6th June 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shane, Jon M.; Magnuson, Shannon
• Is Part Of: Justice quarterly. Volume 33:Number 4(2016)
• Page Start: 682
• Page End: 707
• Publication Date: 2016-06-06
• Subjects: piracy -- opportunity -- shipping industry -- situational crime prevention -- logistic regression -- vessel security; Criminal justice, Administration of -- Periodicals; Criminal justice, Administration of -- United States -- Periodicals; 340.11405
• DOI: 10.1080/07418825.2014.958187
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0741-8825

Abstract

Abstract : Using concepts drawn from situational crime prevention theory, this study compares successful and unsuccessful pirate attacks ( n = 4, 638) against ships worldwide and the situational factors that help prevent such attacks. The results show that when a ship's crew takes proactive self-protective measures that increase the perceived effort (increasing speed, employing evasive maneuvers) and increase the perceived risk (embarking private security, having watchman present, raising alarm, increasing lighting, anti-piracy) of perpetrating an attack, unsuccessful attacks are significantly more likely after controlling for environmental influences. Despite a few common data limitations, the study contributes to the crime prevention literature by analyzing piracy from a micro level instead of a macro level. Future research should examine how the piracy "ecosystem" contributes to the problem and the costs and benefits counter-piracy activities .