Violence on the Seas (And How to Avoid It)

© WWA

The Word "Pirate" conjures romantic images of tall-masted sailing ships, peg legs, parrots and broadside ship battles. It's fun to think of swashbucklers stealing from one oppressive monarchy or another. At one time, pirates were even sanctioned by the U.S. government to raid foreign ships. More recently, Hollywood's Errol Flynn and Johnny Depp added charm to the mythology. The passage of time and the power of childhood imagination have left us with an enchanting idea of piracy.

Here's the reality: On September 22, 2007, two men booked the Miami Beach-based charter boat Joe Cool for a one-way trip to the Bahamas. They offered $4,000 cash and said they needed to meet and impress some female friends in Bimini. Somewhere between Miami and their destination, something went catastrophically wrong. Approximately 20 miles from Bimini, the Joe Cool started veering erratically, according to the recovered GPS unit. This was followed by a course headed directly to Cuba. The vessel was found adrift two days later. The passengers, Kirby Archer and Guillermo Zarabozo, were recovered drifting on the Joe Cool's life raft 12 miles to the north of the boat. The crew-Capt. Jake Branam, wife Kelley Branam, and mates Scott Gamble and Sammy Cairy-were missing. The condition of the boat indicated a struggle. Archer and Zarabozo claimed a second boat had overtaken the Joe Cool, killed the crew and forced them to throw the bodies overboard. Federal authorities quickly identified Archer as a fugitive on the run from law enforcement officers in Arkansas. Zarabozo has connections in Cuba. On October 10, federal authorities charged Archer and Zarabozo with murder. As it turns out, piracy is not like "Treasure Island." It is 21st century violence on the high seas.

We don't yet know the true motivation behind the apparent violence in the Joe Cool incident, but piracy today is often motivated by the astronomical profits derived from smuggling both narcotics and illegal aliens. Smuggling requires boats. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), boat theft is a growing trend in Florida. "Frequently, boat thefts are linked to larger issues, such as organized crime, illegal immigration and domestic security threats," says Capt. David Bullard of the FWC's Investigations Section. If someone is willing to risk stealing a boat, the stakes are high. As the old saying goes, dead men tell no tales.

Whether in the form of a hijacking at sea, a walk-up client to a charter operation or simply a thief in the night, piracy today takes many forms. Customs and Border Protection Director of Marine Operations, Martin Wade, based in Miami, Fla., says there's no single profile. Smart smugglers will stock their boat with rods and other fishing gear so as to blend in.

"Maintain constant vigilance,"says Wade. "The tricky guys are the alien or drug smugglers who have a very good idea of presenting what we want to see, and play it off."

There are simple precautions crews can take to better protect themselves against modern-day pirates. Worldwide Angler Magazine spoke to some of the area's top captains for input on how to stay safe on the high seas.

"Qualifying a walk-up [client] is as simple as using Google," says George Allen of Southern Boating magazine. A quick search of the name "Kirby Archer" turns up a wanted page on the Independence County's Sheriff's website. While not everyone has a wireless laptop easily available on a boat, who doesn't own a cell phone? Call someone, anyone, near a computer. This could be a spouse, friend, or the marina dockmaster's office.

File a Float Plan

"Always file a float plan, and stick to it," says Capt. Bouncer Smith. "No matter where you are going, have a check-in time, and follow with a phone call. There is no excuse, like, 'It costs too much money.' If you say you should be in Bimini by 6:00, call and let someone know you arrived. If there is a problem, the faster the Coast Guard is alerted, the better chance they have of finding you before something goes wrong."

Search Baggage, Customers, Before Boarding

"Go through your charter's bags before they get on board," advises Capt. Matty Tambor of the Owl's Nest. "Let them know that guns and drugs aren't tolerated. A zerotolerance policy [should be] in effect." Charters are a private enterprise. Therefore, according to Miami-area attorney Brian Jacobson, there is nothing wrong with searching bags or even patting down a customer before letting them board your boat. This is the same principal as security guards checking out fans before sporting events or bouncers frisking club goers. It's also not a bad idea to invest in a metal detector.

Use Your Instincts

Beware of cash and a one-way trip! "Back in the early '80s, it was common to be approached by guys with a briefcase full of cash looking to go to the islands. You knew it was for something illegal, and a lot of guys ended up getting hijacked that way," recalls Capt. Dan Kipnis, tournament director and past charter captain. Use your gut instinct. If a walk-up client seems too good to be true, they are. Since pirates come in all shapes and sizes these days and work with various methods, it's up to all crews to put in a little extra effort to protect themselves. Have a contingency plan for any incidents, and practice it from time to time. If you carry a firearm on your vessel, be sure that only the captain and crew know of its location and how to operate the weapon. Otherwise, a gun is of no more use to you than a sash weight, and can actually be used against you. Don't be afraid to qualify your charter and search them. It's your boat and your livelihood on the line.

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