Pirates who board the vessel first or use their own weapons in an operation get a bonus $ 10,000 , the study says . Pirates : Study shows low level pirates earn up to $ 75,000 a year . Low level pirates are mostly foot soldiers sent to the high seas to do the dirty work . Pirates off the Horn of Africa hauled in about $ 400 million in ransom in the past several years . Financiers , considered the ` ` money men , '' earned the most loot .
Pirates : Study shows low level pirates earn up to $ 75,000 a year . Low level pirates are mostly foot soldiers sent to the high seas to do the dirty work . Pirates off the Horn of Africa hauled in about $ 400 million in ransom in the past several years . Financiers , considered the ` ` money men , '' earned the most loot .