The problem is, WITH safe zones as that stand along the US coast, the CAN NOT be hit. It's ludicrous.
Its a lose-lose senario. Eiteh the traders are safe and realist piracy is screwed, or the bankers win and the traders are screwed.
Which, I ask you, is worse for the game numerically? Did the safe zones increase the number of users logged in? Or did the downward trend continue?
If it didn't stop the loss of players, then ships being stolen is not the problem. Eh?