How many times did Somali pirates successfully hijack vessels in 2009?

A maritime watchdog said the number of attacks off the coast of Somalia doubled in 2009 from 111 to 217. Pirates successfully hijacked 47 of those vessels and took 867 crew members hostage , earning them untold millions in ransom payments. Although the number of attacks was significantly higher, the number of successful hijackings was proportionately lower than the previous year.

The Hollywood film Avatar about a disabled marine who infiltrates a race of big blue aliens has become one of the most lucrative movies ever. Box office figures suggest it’s earned more than a billion dollars worldwide since opening 17 days ago. Avatar was directed by James Cameron and combines live action with computer-generated effects.