Modern piracy is a world away from the romantic swashbuckling image of days gone by. With 90 per cent of the world's trade still moved by sea, piracy against cargo vessels remains a very serious issue.

In a compelling talk at the Maritime Museum on Wednesday 28 October, Captain Pottengal Mukundan, the Director of the International Maritime Bureau, examines the current global hot spots for piracy. The talk will focus on the problems of piracy off the coast of Somalia and the challenges of response in a failed state. The lecture will also look at the reasons why vessels are hijacked, including the phantom ship frauds in Asia, where the objective is to steal a vessel and its multimillion dollar cargo.

Captain Mukundan heads the anti-crime arm of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), which includes the International Maritime Bureau (IMB). The IMB runs the Piracy Reporting Centre, which is dedicated to the suppression of piracy and armed robbery against ships. This fascinating lecture will also detail the measures being taken at the industry and inter-governmental level to deal with this international crime.

Lecture: £7, with two-course buffet £16
Please call: 01326 214546 for bookings.
Doors & bar: Open from 6pm.
Date: Wednesday 28th October 2009
Time: 6.30pm