[lucashk]

Hi guys, I am considering taking my 51 ft yacht from Thailand to the Seychelles, by way of the Maldives next January.
I am of course concerned about the security situation in the Indian Ocean, especially near Somalia, but figured that sailing some 700 nm away from the coast would be OK. I recently read an article online however that purported that the Seychelles are, in fact, totally surrounded by somali pirates operating from motherships and just waiting to pounce and kidnap. The article had a somewhat hysterical tone, and the writer had not in fact been accosted by any pirates. It is hard to know what is true and what is fear, so any input from anyone in the know would be very welcome. I would hate to spend my retirement kidnapped to some village in Somalia but would likewise hate to cancel the cruise due to some fearmongering. Thoughts?

 

[camaraderie]

Have you looked at noonsite?
I can find two incidents of piracy from Somalian pirates off the Sechelles this year. I also found the "hysterical" post you cite and apparently THAT vessel hired an armed guard bat to escort him and a few other boats out of Sechelles waters without incident. He is apparently in Thailand now so it is possible you may be able to have a chat.

Here's the incidents post:

http://www.noonsite.com/Members/sue/R2009-04-03-1
and the one from the guy who made the passage to Thailand
http://www.noonsite.com/Members/sue/R2009-06-05-2

It seems to me that the threat is real there even if your odds of a safe passage are good...With so many places that are totally safe...why take the chance?

 

[windward54]

I have friends that were going to do the same thing this year. They left Thailand in March, but are bypassing the Sechelles because of the threat. The current reports are the pirates are coming further down the coast as boats are avoiding their area.

 

[lucashk]

Thank you, Camaraderie and Windward. I read the articles you suggested plus quite a few others, and it would appear that the security situation now is unacceptable, certainly in my view. I suppose it is changing by the day but no-one knows. A bit like taking a stroll through a minefield that has been half-cleared!
What a shame. Anyway, there are other cruising grounds that are safe so I guess I'll be in Thailand and Malaysia for a while longer.

 

[windward54]

The good news is that my friends seem to be having a good time in Madagascar. I've been waiting them to update their website to see how it went from Thailand to the Maldives to Madagascar.