Our boat is in storage for the winter so that gives me time to explore other sailing related topics. PIRATES - not the swash buckling Johnny Depp kind - but the modern day rogue bandits that ambush world cruisers. Is there a source of info re: modern day pirates and/or the stories associated with their attacks on cruising sailors. You get the odd news item from papers, etc. but I think there must be an internet source for more stories and info? Any links?
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Sitting Ducks
Richard. Several years ago a book titled "Sitting Ducks" written by a contributing Cruising World editor came out and was a wake up call for many traveling to the Caribbean. After sailing from the east coast down to the islands, the young sailing couple anchored in a busy harbor in the Lessor Antilles when they were boarded at night by a crazed machete wielding local. Unfortuntaely, he left her boyfriend a mess while she escaped. Although he survived his injuries, the story actually get's into the difficulty she had finding justice on the island for the crime. The islanders protected the nut! Its a real nail biter! I will leave it at that if your looking for real life drama one cruising couple experienced. Good read. Regards Bob Cat 30
Richard. Several years ago a book titled "Sitting Ducks" written by a contributing Cruising World editor came out and was a wake up call for many traveling to the Caribbean. After sailing from the east coast down to the islands, the young sailing couple anchored in a busy harbor in the Lessor Antilles when they were boarded at night by a crazed machete wielding local. Unfortuntaely, he left her boyfriend a mess while she escaped. Although he survived his injuries, the story actually get's into the difficulty she had finding justice on the island for the crime. The islanders protected the nut! Its a real nail biter! I will leave it at that if your looking for real life drama one cruising couple experienced. Good read. Regards Bob Cat 30
AH!
Richard, this is an excellent topic! I, too, am interested in this. My sister-in-law and wife do not care for overnight cruises-- anywhere-- because of fear of attacks by such beasts. My home island of Corvo is a peaceful place with a history of being a port of R&R for pirates. The church on the island has a statue of the Virgin adorned with gold and pearl necklaces, a pirate's loot as a gift! But the pirates of today are much different. Bandits, as you say. I am very interested in how often such incidents happen, and where. Is there a sea more pirate infested than others? Excellent topic, Richard.
Richard, this is an excellent topic! I, too, am interested in this. My sister-in-law and wife do not care for overnight cruises-- anywhere-- because of fear of attacks by such beasts. My home island of Corvo is a peaceful place with a history of being a port of R&R for pirates. The church on the island has a statue of the Virgin adorned with gold and pearl necklaces, a pirate's loot as a gift! But the pirates of today are much different. Bandits, as you say. I am very interested in how often such incidents happen, and where. Is there a sea more pirate infested than others? Excellent topic, Richard.
We never had a problem in the Caribbean or
Central America, except for Antigua. Home is much more risky. The State of Washington does not incarcerate the wackos. If you are attacked, too bad, so sad.
Central America, except for Antigua. Home is much more risky. The State of Washington does not incarcerate the wackos. If you are attacked, too bad, so sad.
There is a Pirate hotline on the web someplace
I have a friend who is the radio officer on the old Exxon Valdiz (it has a new name now) and it sails mainly in the far east between the Arab states and the far east (Singapore). In the Strait of Formosa, they alway keep a pirate watch on the stern, particularly during the night. The pirates have modern high speed large boats and will attack a merchant vessel, take over command of the ship and steal as much as they can, then leave. On several occasions they have actually commanded the oil tanker to a different port and have sold the cargo and then have given the ship back to the crew. My friend says that his oil company says to comply with their wishes and try to keep track of what they take and they will reinbuse each crewman for their lose. When he gets home I'll get the web site address. He leaves the east in a couple of days.
I have a friend who is the radio officer on the old Exxon Valdiz (it has a new name now) and it sails mainly in the far east between the Arab states and the far east (Singapore). In the Strait of Formosa, they alway keep a pirate watch on the stern, particularly during the night. The pirates have modern high speed large boats and will attack a merchant vessel, take over command of the ship and steal as much as they can, then leave. On several occasions they have actually commanded the oil tanker to a different port and have sold the cargo and then have given the ship back to the crew. My friend says that his oil company says to comply with their wishes and try to keep track of what they take and they will reinbuse each crewman for their lose. When he gets home I'll get the web site address. He leaves the east in a couple of days.
Straits of Malacca
are one on the worst, and most infamous, for piracy. ASEAN has been trying to tackle this issue along with signifigant efforts by local (Singapore, ...) navies. Their websites have some great info, as well as Aussie navy sites.
are one on the worst, and most infamous, for piracy. ASEAN has been trying to tackle this issue along with signifigant efforts by local (Singapore, ...) navies. Their websites have some great info, as well as Aussie navy sites.
pirates
I just finished "Dangerous Waters" by John Burnett.In the book He chronicles 20 or more pirate attacks.He even rides on several tankers.The biggest surprise That I got out of the book was that the larger the ship the easier it was to board.Also the threat of just one super tanker blowing up from a spark would do far more damage financially and ecologically than the Exxon Valdez.The author himself was a sailor who had been attacked.This months Latitudes and Atitudes had and article on the governments of India,Malaysia and Java trying to work together
I just finished "Dangerous Waters" by John Burnett.In the book He chronicles 20 or more pirate attacks.He even rides on several tankers.The biggest surprise That I got out of the book was that the larger the ship the easier it was to board.Also the threat of just one super tanker blowing up from a spark would do far more damage financially and ecologically than the Exxon Valdez.The author himself was a sailor who had been attacked.This months Latitudes and Atitudes had and article on the governments of India,Malaysia and Java trying to work together
Pirates=Crime
Thinking about pirates just relate it to land bound crime. We used to live in Washington DC(in a nice area). Crime was rampanet. Just like at home, you lock your doors and be aware of your surroundings and stay out of the bad districts or at least be prepared if we needed to pass through. We saw more crime in our neighborhood than in all of the time we have been in the Caribbean. The only difference is you're on a boat vs land. Crime is everywhere and pirates are just more news worthy than the the local crooks. Most of the areas we have been in things are safe. We have seen locals chase down and return dinghies worth thousands of dollars and refuse a reward.. Just something to think about. SV Makai is currently located in the middle of the priates of the Caribbean.
Thinking about pirates just relate it to land bound crime. We used to live in Washington DC(in a nice area). Crime was rampanet. Just like at home, you lock your doors and be aware of your surroundings and stay out of the bad districts or at least be prepared if we needed to pass through. We saw more crime in our neighborhood than in all of the time we have been in the Caribbean. The only difference is you're on a boat vs land. Crime is everywhere and pirates are just more news worthy than the the local crooks. Most of the areas we have been in things are safe. We have seen locals chase down and return dinghies worth thousands of dollars and refuse a reward.. Just something to think about. SV Makai is currently located in the middle of the priates of the Caribbean.
Here is the URL plus search capability...
Since piracy is mostly a commercial shipping concern, best to use one of their sites and data bases: www.iccwbo.org/index_ccs.asp http://164.214.12.145/asam/asam_j_query.html Also you can buy a CD from SSCA (www.ssca.org, Store, Pubs, look for the CD) that will give you 8 years of monthly bulletins from cruising sailors on piracy experiences, avoidance procedures, etc. I notice one former DC resident claimed the Caribbean was safer for him than his home town. That's hard to image. Whether we want to talk about stolen outboards and dinks or ratchet things up to armed boardings and shootings, the Caribbean has provided far more security-related issues to the average cruiser than what our friends in DC experience...or anywhere else I've read about or visited by boat (other than the Far East/Indian 'Pirate Alley' areas). To form your own opinion on this, visit: www.caribcruisers.com/security.htm And in the general category of modern pirates in the Caribbean, I'd vote to include Cable & Wireless, the principal communications provider in island nations these days. Jack
Since piracy is mostly a commercial shipping concern, best to use one of their sites and data bases: www.iccwbo.org/index_ccs.asp http://164.214.12.145/asam/asam_j_query.html Also you can buy a CD from SSCA (www.ssca.org, Store, Pubs, look for the CD) that will give you 8 years of monthly bulletins from cruising sailors on piracy experiences, avoidance procedures, etc. I notice one former DC resident claimed the Caribbean was safer for him than his home town. That's hard to image. Whether we want to talk about stolen outboards and dinks or ratchet things up to armed boardings and shootings, the Caribbean has provided far more security-related issues to the average cruiser than what our friends in DC experience...or anywhere else I've read about or visited by boat (other than the Far East/Indian 'Pirate Alley' areas). To form your own opinion on this, visit: www.caribcruisers.com/security.htm And in the general category of modern pirates in the Caribbean, I'd vote to include Cable & Wireless, the principal communications provider in island nations these days. Jack
Amazing Stuff here
There is some amazing stuff in these links. It appears as though the really violent attacks are focused on the commercial carriers and the majority of the cruiser incidents are less violent crimes of opportunity i.e. petty theft, etc. The caribbean link was very interesting to read the events listed. I have a special interest in Nevis and was shocked to see that one cruiser was held up by a drug gang. Links like this are essential if the local authoirities are going to get the messgae - clean up the waterfront or the cruisers will pass you by for a friendlier port of call. good stuff - very interesting to read.
There is some amazing stuff in these links. It appears as though the really violent attacks are focused on the commercial carriers and the majority of the cruiser incidents are less violent crimes of opportunity i.e. petty theft, etc. The caribbean link was very interesting to read the events listed. I have a special interest in Nevis and was shocked to see that one cruiser was held up by a drug gang. Links like this are essential if the local authoirities are going to get the messgae - clean up the waterfront or the cruisers will pass you by for a friendlier port of call. good stuff - very interesting to read.
Location of Pirates
In 30+ years of crusing from Maine to South American I only had problems in two locations. Solomans,Maryland and Virginia Beach,VA Dink stole for joy ridding in Maryland and Dink stole to purchase drugs in VA. More Pirates in US than elsewhere.
In 30+ years of crusing from Maine to South American I only had problems in two locations. Solomans,Maryland and Virginia Beach,VA Dink stole for joy ridding in Maryland and Dink stole to purchase drugs in VA. More Pirates in US than elsewhere.
I only had one problem with Pirates.... when I
bought my boat, the government took a large chunk of tax money.. in fact those pirates are still stealing from me. abe
bought my boat, the government took a large chunk of tax money.. in fact those pirates are still stealing from me. abe
Punks, Not Pirates . . .
Stop using the term "pirates" as it's too good for these modern thugs and punks you're all taking about. In the day, real Pirates would give quarter, if you agreed to join up with them . . . Nick "Julia Bell" C-27, #86
Stop using the term "pirates" as it's too good for these modern thugs and punks you're all taking about. In the day, real Pirates would give quarter, if you agreed to join up with them . . . Nick "Julia Bell" C-27, #86
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