Sailing through suez channel 2013

[GrowleyMonster]

Originally Posted by mcarling

Yes, for $5000 that's a semi-auto 50BMG rifle. Effective range is about 2000 yards. That means you get about a hundred chances to hit the pirates before they get within AK-47 or RPG range. At 600 yards, BMG50 will punch holes through 1" steel plate.

As for the idea of going to jail, if you're in international waters, there is virtually no way in the world to get prosecuted for shooting at Somali pirates. The worst case would be getting hauled before a Somali court but, even then, prosecution would seem unlikely. No other country in the world would even claim jurisdiction in the matter. Even Somali pirates have been released because of jurisdictional difficulties. If EUNAVFOR were to catch you in the act, have video of you shooting at the pirates, and have proof that you shot first, you still wouldn't be prosecuted for the simple reason that no country has clear jurisdiction to prosecute and no country has a political interest in prosecuting.

I agree about sandbags and a helmet, as well as sailing in a convoy if possible.

No, effective range is not 2000 yards. Max range is quite a bit over that. Max range is how far the bullet might travel. Effective range is the range at which you can get something done with the weapon. Without considerable training, you are not going to hit a refrigerator at 2000 yards even from a bench rest. Let alone a man size target from a bobbing, rocking sailboat. From a small boat, your effective range is limited first of all by the movement of your platform. Second by your training. Long range shooting is much more than simply putting the crosshairs on a target. However, with any reasonable degree of training and practice, your effective range will be quite a bit greater than the unlettered barefoot savages shooting at you with poorly maintained 50 year old stamped receiver AKs.

However, again, shooting at pirates or suspected pirates from long range is problematic. You must be aware of that and understand that your actions will have possible consequences. You would probably not have to worry about a Somali court. Your own flag state would be one very likely prosecutorial venue. Political issues are exactly what would push a government into prosecuting. The left wing liberal types would be clamoring for your blood. Or at least imprisonment.

Criminal liability is not the only issue, but it is ONE issue and you might choose to overrule its dictates but you must not ignore it. Understand that a trial and a guilty verdict are distinct possibilities and even if the bad guys shoot first, you can't be sure until it is all over. You are looking at a damned if you do, damned if you don't situation and you don't want to proceed blindly through the resolution of it.

Not sure what you mean by "sailing in a convoy if possible", but sailing alone through the Gulf of Aden / Horn of Africa area should not even be considered. Not on a bet, not on a dare. The risk is very, very real. Following Best Management Practices to the extent practical with your vessel is a necessity, not an option. The Cape is safer by far than the high risk area, if you are not following BMP. Even if you are, it is still a question to ponder.

[markpierce]

I'd go if in the right boat and crew.

[Craig Cape Town]

Yolanda Korkie was released two days ago after being held hostage, by terrorists,for nine months in Yemen. Her husband Pierre is still being held and the group holding him are demanding 3 million dollars within the next eight days. The irony is that they were both there volunteering with an NGO.
That region is so unsafe. I'd think twice before sailing past there.

[SaucySailoress]

Originally Posted by GrowleyMonster

We have never NOT been allowed to carry professional security teams. This has always been an option. The only problem has been orchestrating team boarding and weps loading and offloading. The laws in the various countries can be hard t.

Not true.

We have a friend who works for a security firm that does just this. He wanted to come along free for the ride across that zone (Oman to Cochin) and bring his weapons. He was refused permission simply because they cannot bring weapons on a boat under 40m. That is why it's necessary to employ a whole escort boat, which is where it gets pricey.

But hey, when the pirates meet the dogs, they leave their ak47s under the boards, and reach for fish to give us anyway. Much more harmonious.

[Alexey_R]

Originally Posted by GrowleyMonster

However, with any reasonable degree of training and practice, your effective range will be quite a bit greater than the unlettered barefoot savages shooting at you with poorly maintained 50 year old stamped receiver AKs.

P { margin-bottom: 0.21cm; } Why not buy revolver – and just commit suicide – it would be less painful.


The rusty AK might jam but you are wrong about penetration. When I had my reserve officer training in USSR I notice interesting thing on the 100 meter range – the target was hang on the steel rail (the one use on rail road), the metal did have wholes from the bullets (that about inch of steel at 100 meters) .


So I would not bother with converting cockpit to dreadnought.


Best tactic is avoid the trouble to begin .

[atoll]

most yachts are stopped by fishing nets dropped across their bows that they run over rather than old rusty AK's

,the somails then board with machetis or knives,and the guys onboard the skiffs stand by with ak's till they decide either to rob you or take the vessel and hold the people as hostages

[Alexey_R]

I guess the guns and anchors the favourite flame subject on the forum.
IMHO. Do not have assault (military grade) firearms on board of pleasure craft. Check the noonsite – there so many regulations and restrictions on that it does not worth the bother. Sporting guns the other matter – you can bring it if you in the shooting sport and hunting. But bring it for sporting purposes or discourage some dodgy punters.
The pirate is the professional occupations so you have to be very proficient marksman with combat experience to seriously consider even resisting. Kevlar helmet stopping rifle bullets (I think it was a joke), armour plates weight of tons and all mucho talks that two weeks training make you 300 yard marksman is completely irrelevant – you are not at home shooting range you will be on the moving boat against armed killers. The adrenalin and boat rolling would make those skills useless. In the army they drill the soldiers to not to think in combat for that exact reason – fear and adrenaline boost just switch off any analytical abilities and you will do what you been drilled to do for years of training.
I agree if the convoy of similar speed yachts will hire the mercenary force with own boat for protection is viable option but expensive one. The safest option is proposed by Atoll if you have such spare cash but no time hire the delivery captain to go around South Africa. Unless you planning to make a screenplay for another Hollywood blockbuster.

Of course if you believe in government statistics that the piracy is down in East Africa would you bet your life on it? The government statttttisticcs – would stop rifle bullets better then Kevlar helmet.

[atoll]

Originally Posted by Alexey_R

I guess the guns and anchors the favourite flame subject on the forum.
IMHO. Do not have assault (military grade) firearms on board of pleasure craft. Check the noonsite – there so many regulations and restrictions on that it does not worth the bother. Sporting guns the other matter – you can bring it if you in the shooting sport and hunting. But bring it for sporting purposes or discourage some dodgy punters.
The pirate is the professional occupations so you have to be very proficient marksman with combat experience to seriously consider even resisting. Kevlar helmet stopping rifle bullets (I think it was a joke), armour plates weight of tons and all mucho talks that two weeks training make you 300 yard marksman is completely irrelevant – you are not at home shooting range you will be on the moving boat against armed killers. The adrenalin and boat rolling would make those skills useless. In the army they drill the soldiers to not to think in combat for that exact reason – fear and adrenaline boost just switch off any analytical abilities and you will do what you been drilled to do for years of training.
I agree if the convoy of similar speed yachts will hire the mercenary force with own boat for protection is viable option but expensive one. The safest option is proposed by Atoll if you have such spare cash but no time hire the delivery captain to go around South Africa. Unless you planning to make a screenplay for another Hollywood blockbuster.

Of course if you believe in government statistics that the piracy is down in East Africa would you bet your life on it? The government statttttisticcs – would stop rifle bullets better then Kevlar helmet.

you could just paint your boat black and only sail at night

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Alexey_R.

[Alexey_R]

Originally Posted by atoll

you could just paint your boat black and only sail at night

Has one problem – black hull is visible during the day. Solution – convert your sail boat to submarine. Sail during the night and dive during the day.



If seriously pirate high jacking off cost Somalia has the trend as well guided. The pirates pick up the specific targets and have specific information about the ships and cargo they are attacking. This may conclude that they have informants network in neighbouring ports in Red Sea and Indian Ocean and monitor AIS and has radar capability. This is serious business – an organised crime (like drug Cartels or Wall Street). It is not couple of fisherman who bought couple rusty Chinese AKs for 20 USD on local bazar and decided make some extra buck on the side out of the blue. Those are organised gangs with infrastructure on mainland, bases, spy network and tight relation to extremists insurgency in the region. Even Rembo would not help (but it could be fun movie to watch indeed ).

[Oceanride007]

Going thru the Suez is a interesting experience, there shouldn't be any issues at all in the Red Sea, but to play it safe just go down as far as Safaga, but I felt perfectly safe in Sudan (before the troubles, but I thought they were in the Arabian sea anyway), suck it and see, You got all Gulf of Aquaba, its a great sailing area, great diving, cheap fuel, warm climate. I have heard of some boats being trucked over from to UAE, (Dubai) from Aquaba, not saying thats a cure, but there are 2 contributors of this forum on the way to Thailand now from Oman and Dubai.

[Alexey_R]

Originally Posted by GordMay

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Alexey_R.

Thanks. I have been long time reader. Living in Blighty and only occasionally sail on the Solent and Channel would not qualify my as a cruiser but who knows what the future will bring.

[Oceanride007]

post#41 was assuming those sailors in the Med. It may work East to West other way.

[Captain Ludd]

Originally Posted by Oceanride007

………….. I have heard of some boats being trucked over from to UAE, (Dubai) from Aquaba, not saying thats a cure, but there are 2 contributors of this forum on the way to Thailand now from Oman and Dubai.

I am interested in an overland transport but have not been able to find anyone who has done it for a cost.
I am thinking maybe Jeddah across to Quatar or UEA