Have you ever fired a rifle or mortar on land and hit a moving target that is beyond assault rifle range? For a skilled person that is hard. Add to that rocking and rolling of the boat on the sea and it's next to imposible for a sailor with no training in weapons and combat to do it.

I say help the pirates to become more modern. Help install radars and radios on their boats. Install GPS systems and big cannons. Then you can track their positions based on the radio/radar signals and catch up with them due to their slow speed from the heavy cannons and radio gear.

PS, I'm longing to sail the high seas with a Jolly Roger above my head, so while the above would work, I'd prefer if you all left the pirates to do their own thing.