Yes, risk management is the answer. If I have to pass through there I'll do it in a 747 at 35,000 ft.
How to have “safer” passage through pirate territory?
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I think it would be interesting to hear from someone with actual, real world experiece with the problem. Just saying "don't go there" is obtuse. A more specific suggestion is needed... like if you don't go there, where do you go? No offence to you armchair speculators of course.
IN the real world, you don't go there or through the straits of Malaka in south east asia. You plan an alternate path or turn way south at points prior to these. Now those choices cause additional mileage, weather and provisions to be addressed, so some just chance it. Two choices, but that is what the real world does.
Round the world cruising organizations have dissolved over this. And people die. Yet this problem continues, and thus far no one chooses to do anything about it.
There has always been "baksheesh" and bribes paid to transit many places world traveling sailors go. But these past few years with no real deterrent have emboldened the pirates. It will come to a head.
Here's a possible vessel for the new Nemo:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...he-James-Bond-Stealth-ship-U-S-Navy-away.html
No diving but it can sneak up on the bad guys anyway.
I just can't feel sorry for people getting killed by pirates when they go cruise in pirate infested waters.
It's like the guy that was wearing a bear suit and trying to live with the bears. He got ate.
OF course he got ate, that's what happens when you put on a costume and try to live with bears. The bears know you aren't a bear and when they get hungry you are lunch.
Pirates steal and kill, that's what makes them pirates. Maybe someone should try putting on a pirate costume and try sailing with them?
It's like the guy that was wearing a bear suit and trying to live with the bears. He got ate.
OF course he got ate, that's what happens when you put on a costume and try to live with bears. The bears know you aren't a bear and when they get hungry you are lunch.
Pirates steal and kill, that's what makes them pirates. Maybe someone should try putting on a pirate costume and try sailing with them?
By going around.
West to East trip: I think a yacht could sailed thru the Suez canal and Gulf, around the Southern tip of the Sinai then up to the port city of Al Haql, Saudi Arabia to be trucked across Saudi Arabia to a port in the Arabian Gulf.
I'd try to fly from the drop off port to the pick up port. The ride would be interesting the first hour or so and then long and boring and hot.
You'd need a sponsor for the visas and documentation for the boat but the Saudi Embassy should be able to help with that. Ching ching$$$.
Stick to the Omani side of the Strait of Hormuz and everything should be smooth as snot.
Or sail the Southern route.
If we really want to fix this thing we should hire the Russians. They know how to deal with these people and don't care about world opinion.
West to East trip: I think a yacht could sailed thru the Suez canal and Gulf, around the Southern tip of the Sinai then up to the port city of Al Haql, Saudi Arabia to be trucked across Saudi Arabia to a port in the Arabian Gulf.
I'd try to fly from the drop off port to the pick up port. The ride would be interesting the first hour or so and then long and boring and hot.
You'd need a sponsor for the visas and documentation for the boat but the Saudi Embassy should be able to help with that. Ching ching$$$.
Stick to the Omani side of the Strait of Hormuz and everything should be smooth as snot.
Or sail the Southern route.
If we really want to fix this thing we should hire the Russians. They know how to deal with these people and don't care about world opinion.
They made a big mistake ...
It didn't run out well for them.
stupid pirates fired on a Navy warship (believe it was a Frigate)
It didn't run out well for them.
Yes...."just don't go there" that's the bail out answer, you have a flair for the obvious ... but... what if you have no choice. There may be any number of valid reasons you may have to transit a dangerous area.
So... the question is: If you can't avoid the area, what are some strategies and precautions one may adopt to lessen the chance of being accosted by pirates.
Now that's a little better.. some actual suggestions.
Some of you may have read Wilbur Smith's most recent book "Those In Peril".... it's about Somali pirates, warlords etc. and how a few private individuals (with lots of money) dealt with the problem.
So far, there are two Legend class National Security Cutters in commission, homeport CG Station Alameda, California. Nice weapons for a cutter, a 57mm auto cannon and a 20mm CIWS gattling gun, both computer controlled and radar guided. Third NSC is in the builder's yard in Mississippi. Three more in various stages of contract.
They are replacing the Hamilton class 378's which have been the CG's big ships for decades.
I don't think anyone will argue that it not the best place to sail which is why I said "safer" and not "safe". There is a major difference.
Just not going there is similar to telling fat people to just not eat. There is a plethora of other options between the polar ends that might be interesting to discuss and hear about.
You have been given the best options...whether you like or agree with them is another thing.
Do like the people in the article I mentioned, and just do it...then you can come back and tell us all how great/easy/spiritual/helpful it all was.....
Or wasn't.
There is NO place that is "Safe" - everything we do has risk associated with it. Are you going to die a day at a time for the rest of your life, or are you going to live?
I'd be on the radio to the warships regularly and report ALL marine traffic. One of the biggest challenges they have is seeing the bad guys. If you can identify one, they will no doubt be happy to investigate.
My military training always came down to Shoot, move , communicate. Well the shoot option is really off the table as they have bigger guns and there are lots of legal concerns. The move option is limited to your boat speed but by coordinating your route with known locations of warships you can reduce your exposure to bad situations. That leaves communicate and I think that if you are going to do this sort of thing you would absolutely want to establish comms with the fleet patrolling the waters. I know they monitor channel 16 but some research into HF channels to communicate on would be prudent IMHO
My military training always came down to Shoot, move , communicate. Well the shoot option is really off the table as they have bigger guns and there are lots of legal concerns. The move option is limited to your boat speed but by coordinating your route with known locations of warships you can reduce your exposure to bad situations. That leaves communicate and I think that if you are going to do this sort of thing you would absolutely want to establish comms with the fleet patrolling the waters. I know they monitor channel 16 but some research into HF channels to communicate on would be prudent IMHO
One man's big risk is another man's adventure.
I disagree with Captjake's comment that Somali's are not real bright. I'd note that they are bright enough to squeeze millions of dollars out of their hostages and live to do it again.
I'd like to know how many ships are transiting that area and not having any incidents. Is there a cruising website for the horn of Africa? or a forum for this somewhere?
I disagree with Captjake's comment that Somali's are not real bright. I'd note that they are bright enough to squeeze millions of dollars out of their hostages and live to do it again.
I'd like to know how many ships are transiting that area and not having any incidents. Is there a cruising website for the horn of Africa? or a forum for this somewhere?
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