While pirates have never been out of business is some parts of the world, the most egregious and active examples are now perpetrated around the Horn of Africa. Out to sea from Somali and carried out by Somalians. They seem to have carte blanche and operate in open boats, supported by mother ships up to 300 plus miles from land.

Usually there is not a neat, convenient solution to such a dilemma but in this case I believe there is. They have captured 13-14 yachts thus far. French commandos reclaimed one at the cost of 2 pirates and one victim. Also India has sunk a mother ship, otherwise no problems. They especially like yachts since they are much easier to board and yachts almost by definition translate to money.

Were the US Navy to buy or lease a few large yachts, capable of say 40-50 knots, ( there are some capable of 70 knots). Equip the vessels with the latest night vision apparatus, short range, light weight armament that can be easily hidden and staff the yachts with Navy SEALS, using non-SEAL female personnel so as to portray a normal yachting party and crew. With sophisticated communication and detection devices, they could blow pirate vessels out of the water before they could communicate to their base what was happening. I suggest a few months of such an operation would remove the incentive from those who remain.