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checkcheck · 12-03-2015, 20:53

Hello all ! First time poster here.

I will be hitching a ride along a commercial vessel, Hanjin shipping company, that will be sailing through the gulf of aden, onto the Suez. I was just wondering how is the situation with regards to piracy ? I've check some websites on piracy, and in 2014, there have been little/few attacks as compared to the other years.

Should I take an alternate route of travel ? Or is it relatively safe to sail through ?

Steadman Uhlich · 12-03-2015, 20:57

I am curious: How are you "hitching a ride" on a commercial vessel?

checkcheck · 12-03-2015, 21:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steady Hand

I am curious: How are you "hitching a ride" on a commercial vessel?

as a passenger (paid a fare of course)

Neptune's Gear · 12-03-2015, 21:48

There is some risk, but I consider it low now.
There are naval escort vessels, and likely your ship will have security personnel on board for that leg. As you say, no ships taken for some time now.

Of course, you have to assess if the risk is worth it for you. You could start by asking your booking agent what security precautions are being taken.

Steadman Uhlich · 12-03-2015, 22:02

I should start by saying the following (now that I noticed this is your first post):

Welcome to posting in this forum!

I hope you enjoy your time here and I hope you find what you want in answers or information.

My question above was written because I am curious about passenger travel on "freighters" and such (unlike typical cruise ships). Thanks for answering my curiosity.
__________________

Pirates in the Red Sea or GoA?

There have been many threads discussing pirates on this forum. Too many to list here. You might find them interesting to read. Since you are new to the forum, I will post a few links below to help you.

Cruisers & Sailing Forums - Discussions about Piracy

Here is a quick Google Search of this forum: Pirates - Google Search

Assessing "RISK" is often a personal decision.

Are pirates likely to be a problem for your vessel?

Do you like the "adventure" of risking the transit?

______________________

Personally, I would enjoy the voyage and not worry about it if traveling on a large commercial vessel. But, that is me. You need to decide for yourself.

Obviously large vessels can be targets and have been successfully captured by pirates off Somalia. Smaller private yachts may be at more risk (easier to catch). Some members of this forum ( see MARKJ) have experienced something in that area. You should search for his name and see his "signature" as there is a link to his account.

Here is the link: Somalia Pirate Attacks and our Conovy. Wittnessing a Pirate Attack in the Gulf of Aden near the Red Sea 2010

________________

Good luck, "Yo Ho!" and "Bon Voyage!"

P.S. IF the voyage proves to have some excitement, make sure you come back here and tell us about it in a post.

Alan Mighty · 12-03-2015, 22:53

Have a look at: Ð‘Ð°Ð±-ÑÐ»ÑŒ-ÐœÐ°Ð½Ð´ÐµÐ±ÑÐºÐ¸Ð¹ Ð¿Ñ€Ð¾Ð»Ð¸Ð² 2015

That's the latest blog entry of s/v Julietta, a Hanse 54, currently in the Red Sea with a view to transiting the Suez Canal en route to the Mediterranean.

s/v Julietta was here in the marina that is home to Led Myne a year or so back.

Al

MarkJ · 12-03-2015, 23:05

Ships carry armed guards. You will be safe as it gets.

SorinCT · 12-03-2015, 23:53

Not all ships carry armed guards or take extra precautions. Recently the GOA passage has been labeled a no-risk area within the protected corridor. If you go out of it for any reason then you are in trouble. This is mostly an economic tool to minimize costs for high-risk salaries for seafarers passing through this area and removing the need for expensive armed guards.
Rule of thumb is the faster and bigger free board the ship has, the harder it is for pirates to board it. But never underestimate pirates.
If there are people interested i can show you what happens when things get ugly with these loonies.

checkcheck · 13-03-2015, 02:57

My personal goal was to get from Malaysia to North America. I could do the Malaysia to Seattle route, going through the pacific ocean, or I could do the opposite way, which is through the Red sea and onto New York.

Just trying to figure which way is 'safest'. First time doing this. Was talking with the agent about the ships itself, some even came with swimming pools. These are commercial vessels.