How to have “safer” passage through pirate territory?

Scott T-Bird · Jul 21, 2011

I read an article recently (in Sail Magazine, possibly) about just this topic. The author of the article was sailing with family (including children).

Joe · Jul 21, 2011

This month's Sail magazine has an article about a couple sailing in convoy through the Gulf of Aden between Somalia and Yemen.

KD3PC · Jul 21, 2011

Good luck and grace of god, if you use the Sail article as a guide....a total farce as far as effective or prudent.

To anchor or stay in a marina that by their own admission was a hundred yards from the riots, to hire a car to "resupply" and be chased back to the marina, to use prop foulers, and to travel in "patterns" to foil the pirates.

completely inane activity to "thwart the pirates"...pure luck that they suffered no effects, and worse yet drug the kids in to it...

YMMV

Sailm8 · Jul 21, 2011

Admitted arm chair circumnavigator here but I would use the same criteria I would use when gauging the weather. If it looks bad, don't go. There are so many "safe places" to go in the world why would you take the risk?

Someday the international community might decide to "solve the problem" but until then why take the risk.

Scott T-Bird · Jul 21, 2011

Yep, I agree with you kd ... the article was a dis-service. They appeared to be far too casual about the whole affair and luckily got away with their lack of due diligence.

joker460 · Jul 21, 2011

Some people have resorted to transport ships to get around the pirates.
There was a race earlier this year that was to go through the Gulf of Aden and they loaded up the boats on a transport vessel like the one attached.
This one shows power boats.

Adds a lot of expense if you have to do this but is probably the safest way.

Tim R. · Jul 22, 2011

joker460 said:
Some people have resorted to transport ships to get around the pirates.
There was a race earlier this year that was to go through the Gulf of Aden and they loaded up the boats on a transport vessel like the one attached.
This one shows power boats.

Adds a lot of expense if you have to do this but is probably the safest way.

What keeps the pirates from taking the transport ship? Seems like lots of valuable cargo and even maybe some valuable passengers.

I agree with Sailm8. If it looks bad, don't go.

At which point during this passage are you having fun? Isn't that what cruising is all about?

Why not just take a stroll through a minefield? It will be cheaper, cleaner(sort of) and your loved ones will not spend months worrying about you.

Big Windy · Jul 22, 2011

Anybody going through that area is taking a big risk...unless on a big gray ship that says "US Navy" on it.

joker460 · Jul 22, 2011

You don't travel with the cargo ship. You fly to the destination and continue from there. If you loose the ship, insurance (expensive) will take care of the rest.

Benny17441 · Jul 22, 2011

These are attacks of opportunity and they happen at random. They use mother ships so that they can operate close to shore or in offshore waters. They'll attack single small boats as well as a convoy of them. They have radar and carry more firepower then a few shotguns. War ships patrol the area but have not been able to stop the piracy. Perhaps sailing through these waters is not the best route to use when going from Europe to Australia. No matter what precautions you may take, to sail through those waters is to take a gamble. Do you feel lucky today?

justsomeguy · Jul 22, 2011

Benny17441 said:
These are attacks of opportunity and they happen at random. They use mother ships so that they can operate close to shore or in offshore waters. They'll attack single small boats as well as a convoy of them. They have radar and carry more firepower then a few shotguns. War ships patrol the area but have not been able to stop the piracy. Perhaps sailing through these waters is not the best route to use when going from Europe to Australia. No matter what precautions you may take, to sail through those waters is to take a gamble. Do you feel lucky today?

Yes. But I'd rather go in a convoy.

gpd955 · Jul 22, 2011

justsomeguy said:
Yes. But I'd rather go in a convoy.

...We got a little ol' convoy, rockin' through the night. We got a little ol' convoy, ain't she a beautiful sight.

Sorry...couldn't resist!

justsomeguy · Jul 23, 2011

gpd955 said:
...We got a little ol' convoy, rockin' through the night. We got a little ol' convoy, ain't she a beautiful sight.

Sorry...couldn't resist!

I remember the eighties! 10/4, good buddy!

Ross · Jul 23, 2011

Just crtuise in a modern Coast Guard Cutter with a full crew and munitions load.

Stu Jackson · Jul 23, 2011

Nope

Cruising World had a story about a convoy or two in some recent articles.

The question itself: How to have “safer” passage through pirate territory?"is an oxymoron.

The answer is: You CAN'T.

The ONLY safe thing to do is to avoid the area completely.You may recall that a California couple was killed earlier this year by the pirates, and some English couple was held for years until released recently.

It isn't worth a life.

justsomeguy · Jul 23, 2011

While I'll agree with your conclusion, I think your premise is flawed with the dichotomy of safe/unsafe. Risks are managed down to acceptable levels in many endeavors. I don't skydive at night anymore, for one.

sandsailor · Jul 23, 2011

justsomeguy said:
While I'll agree with your conclusion, I think your premise is flawed with the dichotomy of safe/unsafe. Risks are managed down to acceptable levels in many endeavors. I don't skydive at night anymore, for one.

woose

sandsailor · Jul 23, 2011

rifles and grenade launchers are very effective against pirates
just dont let them sneak up on you

How to have “safer” passage through pirate territory?

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