Somali pirate gossip

[killarney_sailor]

This is from yacht club bar gossip so we know it can be trusted implicitly. At least it was in a cruiser area (the Royal Suva YC in Fiji) and involved long distance cruisers. One Aussie here has a relation who serves on an Australian naval ship that regularly patrols the ocean off the horn of Africa, where there are naval vessels from many nations. His comment was that he could not go into any details about what they do, just that the number of pirate vessels heading out of port is not equal to the number who return. He implied that other nations are following similar rules of engagement.

Another cruiser met a former Royal Marine in Aden who is now employed by a company that hires out to the insurance companies that pay ransoms for commercial vessels that have been seized. Their job is to go to the ship after the ransom has been paid (well-armed) and accompany the ship until it is out of harms way. He said that they were accosted by a vessel four hours out of the Somali port and a fire fight ensued with the attackers being sunk.

If these reports are true (and that is a large 'if'), it is good to remember that just because something is not reported by CNN or the BBC does not mean that it did not occur.

BTW, there are quite a few potential circumnavigators in this region who are not prepared to go around Africa at all, and will not go the Red Sea route until there is better security.

[aeventyr60]

Many cruisers here in Asia (Thailand, Singapore & Malaysia) are putting off plans for the Red Sea and crossing the Indian Ocean. We went to Borneo and the Philippines last year instead and had a great time. Will enjoy cruising here where we are welcome!

We are considering a longer Indian Ocean passage by sailing further South down the West Coast of Sumatra and then making the 3000 mile or passage directly to Madagascar.

[tdw]

The reason we had the opportunity to buy our new girl is that her owners wanted to cruise Europe but were not prepared to risk the Red Sea and unhappy about the prospect of Cape Good Hope.

Instead they sold her, flew to Europe and have bought another boat over there in which they intend to cruise Eruope and the Med then cross the Atlantic, through Panama and Pacific back to Oz.

[trantor12020]

Originally Posted by killarney_sailor

This is from yacht club bar gossip so we know it can be trusted implicitly. At least it was in a cruiser area (the Royal Suva YC in Fiji) and involved long distance cruisers. One Aussie here has a relation who serves on an Australian naval ship that regularly patrols the ocean off the horn of Africa, where there are naval vessels from many nations. His comment was that he could not go into any details about what they do, just that the number of pirate vessels heading out of port is not equal to the number who return. He implied that other nations are following similar rules of engagement.

Another cruiser met a former Royal Marine in Aden who is now employed by a company that hires out to the insurance companies that pay ransoms for commercial vessels that have been seized. Their job is to go to the ship after the ransom has been paid (well-armed) and accompany the ship until it is out of harms way. He said that they were accosted by a vessel four hours out of the Somali port and a fire fight ensued with the attackers being sunk.

If these reports are true (and that is a large 'if'), it is good to remember that just because something is not reported by CNN or the BBC does not mean that it did not occur.

BTW, there are quite a few potential circumnavigators in this region who are not prepared to go around Africa at all, and will not go the Red Sea route until there is better security.

We sure could use more such good stories. Is there a site for this?

[erps]

We sure could use more such good stories. Is there a site for this?

Here are some:

Pirate Activity in the Red Sea/Eritrea Area | Maritime News | Maritime Executive Magazine

[ftldiver]

the 1st rule of the fight, er 'defense' club....is