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daletournier · 21-06-2016, 00:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by makobuilders

Was reading your old post Bulawayo. I live and boat in the Persian Gulf and your description is quite common especially when I am in the quieter areas away from the port, especially when walking the sandbars or islands. However I usually ignore and walk away from their approaches, but that's because my daughters will be playing in their shorts or bathing suits and there is often perverted behavior displayed. Never by the Arabs though because of the respect for a man's family/women, but by Asian fisherman.

Hi Makobuilders, I'm interested in your opinion regarding transiting the gulf of aden currently, if you have one.

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salticrak · 21-06-2016, 00:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by weavis

Neptune parts and 50ftmoneypit will not be continuing with us on this thread (or any other) so feel free to comment without fear of reprisal. Best always to have one persona ONLY on CF.

Double tap?

**weavis** · 21-06-2016, 01:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by salticrak

Double tap?

TO be sure, to be sure.

**weavis** · 21-06-2016, 02:07

I am always conflicted over anonymity and posting on a chat board. It is a protection for some and problem for the board at times...

It would be my wish for enrolment to include the real name, address etc, so at least behind the scenes the board management know who they are dealing with, yet CFs current policy does not require it. Its makes the CF teams job hard when naughties start to happen.... we have to cross check computer IDs and IP addresses and locations, writing styles etc.... we always sort it in the end ....

**weavis** · 21-06-2016, 02:18

This area of travel requires constant monitoring. CF would like for current information to be shared among the members.

It is especially hard when the thread degenerates into bravado and gun talk and political solutions

that does not help the genuine enquirer. The Team here have NO interest in closing threads. We have interest only that the threads remain helpful and free of insults and arguments. Years of experience have shown us when the line gets crossed and how hard it is to keep it stress free...

Its not about keeping the 'mods' happy, its about the mods having the responsibility and knowledge of what happens if we 'dont' get on top of a situation.... you have no idea how many posts are removed in order to achieve this...

its not our 'ego' or personal preferences, we work to the same standard as you which all of us agree to when joining CF.

sometimes posters feel we are picking on them... well, to be honest if we are concentrating on you then perhaps 'you' should examine your content and recognise where it conflicts with our policies....

For us to actually make a 'be nice' statement, is the rarity.... but once made the thread is monitored.. you wont hear from us again if all settles....

Rustic Charm · 21-06-2016, 02:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by weavis

I am always conflicted over anonymity and posting on a chat board. It is a protection for some and problem for the board at times...

It would be my wish for enrolment to include the real name, address etc, so at least behind the scenes the board management know who they are dealing with, yet CFs current policy does not require it. Its makes the CF teams job hard when naughties start to happen.... we have to cross check computer IDs and IP addresses and locations, writing styles etc.... we always sort it in the end ....

What was the problem Weavis, was he doing something untoward behind the scenes?

**weavis** · 21-06-2016, 02:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rustic Charm

What was the problem Weavis, was he doing something untoward behind the scenes?

I will just state that to be a member of CF you have to have only ONE account... This is a basic rule.

A member cannot post under multiple names/accounts.

**weavis** · 21-06-2016, 02:47

Some of my colleagues are planning to go the route soon. Some are already in transit.

One of the safety factors incorporated in their plan is to NOT announce the journey. Just do it and relay information after the fact...

There is a lot of evidence to support that certain Mafias are involved in financing the pirates. With the potential rewards being in the millions, it would seem likely that this may be true. The whole business is now run by computer savvy personnel.

I would urge caution with regard to specfic details of your trip, dates time places etc, and only let those who need to know be aware.

Do NOT splash your location over the internet in this area.

Consider running dark in places,
no IAS
no radar reflection
and move rapidly.

If you have radar, use it... at least you will know who is in the vicinity, it does not matter that they do not see you...

If friendly military is in the area, use them as shelter as far as possible.

Its a relatively small area to pass through...

Pass through as quickly as you can.

I speak from military and personal experience. A lot of time spent avoiding detection in a lot of regions on land and on the water. Our team called ourselves the "Scurry Bunnies".

Im still here. Avoided firefights by utilising this method... A GRP boat is not a good place to be when bullets are fired.

If your doing it, take LOTS of care.

First, you say nothing.
Then you say nothing at all.

Rustic Charm · 21-06-2016, 02:53

Arnt there yachts that all go in convoys through this area with military in the background?

goat · 21-06-2016, 04:32

Uhhh..... we're still good if we've got multiple personalities but only one profile, right?

**weavis** · 21-06-2016, 04:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by goat

Uhhh..... we're still good if we've got multiple personalities but only one profile, right?

yessum.

Rustic Charm · 21-06-2016, 04:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by weavis

yessum.

What about separate profiles for me split personalities :

I've only got two or three

Come to think of it, we Tasmanians are said to have two heads ? What about one for each head ��

mako · 21-06-2016, 08:12

Hi daletournier,

The decision whether to travel through this zone or not is down to your own assessment of the situation and your risk tolerance. As you can see by reading through the dozen plus pages of threads, the region is very fluid.

The threats used to be primarily from the pirates from the Horn, now it is shifting to spillage from the war in Yemen. Risks are mitigated by following the obvious procedures for registering properly, arriving at the designated area in the transit zone at the assigned date/time, traversing high risk zones at night, etc.

In my opinion the risks are medium-level, not low, but not high, if you follow proper procedures. There are no military escorts for vessels. Traveling in a pleasure craft convoy can increase the risks unless at least one vessel is armed and you have established emergency procedures. You could hire professional security to travel on the biggest boat and split the costs between all you. $25k to $40k split over 4+ boats might fit your budget.

Intelligence (information) is your most valuable resource. Incidents that occur here in the Persian Gulf or over in the Hormuz Strait have no relevance to transiting into the Red Sea.

My best advise is to gather as much information from government and coalition sources as possible. From commercial routing and security services. Some information from these forums and threads, but not too much because there is too much emotional showmanship going on here.

My situation was very different than others as it involved repositioning a heavy powerboat, not a sailboat. It worked out to be about the same cost to ship it from UAE as it would be to sail it 3000nm and cover fuel, crew, flights and time off work. Personally I would have done it as a solo vessel but only if armed, but I have lived in risk situations and am comfortable with firearms. I believe that in a straight-on firefight with an armed skiff that my chances of prevailing would be very low, but a firearm is a deterrent and who wants to sail through a savannah of lions as a lamb chop?

I was willing to make the trip but my wife forbid me anyway. Guess who won that firefight???