lenseman
regular
Reged: 03/06/2006
Posts: 1462
Loc: South East Coast - United King...
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They are at it again, this time 250 miles off shore!!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/7357831.stm
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regards David
"Away Sea-boats crew - Special Sea Dutymen, Close-up"
Skype: lenseman-uk
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LadyJessie
regular
Reged: 21/11/2006
Posts: 1116
Loc: the Med
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This was a fishing boat apparently way outside of areas normally sailed by yachts. I have seen very few reports lately of incidents relating to yachts. We intend to go down the Red sea/Gulf of Aden in the near future so I have been following noonsite regularly which seems to have the best coverage. They only report two incidents in the last half year, both off the coast of Somalia/Eritrea which would not be the route I would follow anyway. Recommended route would be to keep closer to the Aden side in the Gulf of Aden.
Anybody knows any better site than Noonsite Piracy for piracy reports?
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Stingo
regular
Reged: 17/10/2001
Posts: 6652
Loc: Durban
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Here's an alternate one for you.
http://www.yachtpiracy.org/en/index.htm
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Cruising and Sailing Wiki By Cruisers
Anecdotes From Stingo
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LadyJessie
regular
Reged: 21/11/2006
Posts: 1116
Loc: the Med
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Thanks Stingo, that is a good alternative source. It actually only lists five incidents in the Gulf of Aden in the last four years and then with some question marks. Given the number of yachts that pass through here every year; that would mean a very, very low incident rate. From all the data I have gathered, there seems to be a much larger risk of running aground or getting a stomach bug from bad food in Aden, than meeting any pirates in this area. Or do I have my rose coloured glasses on?
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2seadogs
new user
Reged: 12/04/2008
Posts: 8
Loc: Cape Town for now, soon, FLOAT...
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When do you intend to go that way? Wouldn't it be better and safer all round, if you had to find out if any other cruisers are wanting to do the same trip, at more or less the same time, as surely there would be more safety in numbers.
Brendan & Maryann
Maggie May
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LadyJessie
regular
Reged: 21/11/2006
Posts: 1116
Loc: the Med
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Yes, you are correct; the more the better. This is actually one of the functions on noonsite; it collects yachts for convoys if you think you need it. Another good source are the liveaboard cruising communities along the Turkish south coast which is a very popular starting point for a journey like this. I know of at least one boat in the Marmaris Bay that might be doing this at about the same time and doubtless we will find more closer to cast off time.
However, after having read the data I now think these convoys have much more of a social function than that they are needed for security.
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Bob
regular
Reged: 05/06/2001
Posts: 171
Loc: South of Durban
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An interesting analysis of piracy reports HERE
MUCH more chance of being run over by a bus!
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World Cruising and Sailing Wiki
Help to build this World Cruising Guide!
Built by cruisers, for cruisers.
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LadyJessie
regular
Reged: 21/11/2006
Posts: 1116
Loc: the Med
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Quote:
MUCH more chance of being run over by a bus!
...or getting stepped on by a camel in Egypt, if I am to believe those frequent stories. 
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AndrewB
regular
Reged: 07/06/2001
Posts: 3480
Loc: Cruising California
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Quote:
MUCH more chance of being run over by a bus!
Is it not surprising that attacks on shipping, probably better reported, have risen so sharply yet there are fewer yacht reports? Might that be because fewer yachts are going that way now?
When planning for my present voyage, back in 2004, I took soundings among everyone I could find who'd sailed through this area in the previous few years, including people on this forum. It seemed like EVERYONE had a piracy story of some sort. Maybe only a minority had been attacked - but it was a significant minority. All the rest reported being shadowed, close quarter night encounters with 'fishing boats', or having met someone personally who had been attacked. At least there were no reports of serious actual violence. But we don't know if yachts have been lost altogether, do we? Anyways, the hassle seemed too great to make it worth considering going that way. I think I'd rather take a chance with the Agulhas Current.
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Troutbridge
regular
Reged: 19/03/2007
Posts: 333
Loc: Cruising, mon, cruising
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The trouble is, somebody sees a fishing boat on a similar course and leaps to an immediate conclusion. Personally, I think that any 'pirate ship' would have no difficulty whatsoever catching the average yacht either under sail or power, so I have to say I discount most of these so called 'encounters'.
As far as sailing in convoy is concerned, exactly what use is that? Safety in numbers? When confronted by an AK47? I'm still undecided on the 'route back', my planning stops in NZ at the moment but the Cape option is a tough trip. Mind you, I've spoken to one couple who did it and they reckoned the trip from Cape Town north was the best sailing they had the entire trip.
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Some see the glass as half full, some see it as half empty. I see it as too damn small.
http:/blog.mailasail.com/troutbridge
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