To run the gauntlet in the Gulf of Aden

[piratepat]

Hi Everyone.

I am getting ready to deliver my small ship, 36m to the Black Sea departing Australia and travelling via Dawin Singapore and the Port of Aden.

Obviously this trip has its draw backs and i am seeking all the knowledge that I can in order to be well prepared.

I would prefer to carry my own weapons for defense but that in its own might create more problems than solutions.

We will be at least 8 persons on board and at the moment including women.

I wonder wether it might be appropiate and/or possible to hire military or otherwise personel for protection during this part of the journey and if so where would i get these people from.

Every bit of advice that I can muster is important.

Regards
The Pirate on the Bridge.

[cat man do]

Oh no, not another Pirate thread ;-)

Maybe have a wade through here.
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...une-16614.html

Dave

[Pblais]

I wonder wether it might be appropriate and/or possible to hire military or otherwise personnel for protection during this part of the journey and if so where would i get these people from.

If you were going to that extent, I would acquire an escort service with a very fast boat with military grade weapons. When being attacked by high speed boats and automatic weapons you don't have much advantage against people that can clearly shoot better than you on a faster boat and have you out gunned 20 to 1. To carry enough fire power would get you arrested as an arms dealer.

I am sure there are people that would take your money. Some pirates don't like working on the water and prefer to take your money on land. The fees will usually equal the limit of your resources. They never agree to give up their own lives for you. If you hire 5 people to come along and the attackers bring 20 it sure isn't that great of odds. The only serious approach is to avoid an attack using methods that are designed to do so.

Traveling in a group, maintaining off shore distances, and minimizing radio chatter have all been used. Most transits of the area are not subject to violence.

[Tellie]

Mercenaries are a whole different breed. Your women might be safer with the pirates.

[exfishnz]

I wonder wether it might be appropiate and/or possible to hire military or otherwise personel for protection during this part of the journey and if so where would i get these people from.

The only places I've read of (online) do it for superyacht budget types. Also, Hiring ex-servicemen with “tools” may be expensive & you need to be very cautious of going cheap incase they tip off the bad guy's.

Originally Posted by piratepat

I would prefer to carry my own weapons for defense but that in its own might create more problems than solutions.

The best defence is to not go somewhere, the second best is to prepare for any trouble. There's a common misconception amongst some yachties that the usage of “tools” would not be effective against bad guy's. PM me if you want to speak more on the topic. Please do not respond to this post (as I will not answer) about the usage of “tools” as the topic gets way outta hand with some people around here & the thread ends up being closed

“This post was bought to you by a member of the bring back Wheels campaign”
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f80/bring-back-wheels-17193.html

[exfishnz]

Originally Posted by Pblais

When being attacked by high speed boats and automatic weapons you don't have much advantage against people that can clearly shoot better than you on a faster boat

There's a number of military servicemen I spoke to recently about your scenario (for myself) & they would tend to disagree with your point. Like I spoke about in another thread (with Gord) before our posts got deleted , there's two publicly available “tools” that they would take over an auto any day in dealing with your scenario. They used similar in Vietnam & were also able to shield themselves against the Russian “tools” & Chinese replica's. Interestingly enough, they asked me to consider whether it would be harder to hit a running deer (sport hunting) at a distance on hilly terrain or a fast boat on flat water.

[GordMay]

You might consider checking out the NoonSite “Piracy” page, which includes messages from yachts interested in forming convoys, and more:
Goto:
Noonsite: Piracy

[piratepat]

Thank you for your support on this issue.

The one thing that is clear to me is that I am learning,

and i am grateful for that.

[Alondra]

I posted something similar on another thread, here your answer. We have been passing there recently and one thing, it is a risk going there.
Than the good thing, we made it and so do most of the yachts. Sail to Oman, salalah and from there take the route Mukallah and Aden in Yemen. Both Oman and Yemen have Coast Guard on CH 16 and they are listening most of the time. Stay close to the yemenite coast (anywhere between 8 to 10 NM)and travel together with other yachts that you find in either one of these ports (there is always a few waiting). At night, dont light up to brightly.
In Aden, stock up with all you can get on fuel and food as this is the last time untill Sudan (Suhakin) for fuel that is. Don't mis out on Massawa (Eritrea) and visit Asmara. Be careful with the reefs and look for decent maps and plotter.
Winds are generally SE going into the red sea up to the conversion zone around Massawa. Sometimes more N sometimes more S. From there on it is on the nose. And mostly hard but you'll make it.
Don't rush, take your time in the red sea and wait for the best wheater window. Basicly, when the wind drops, Go!
Look t Alondra Sailing || Sailing in Style for some pics and more info. And if you need anything more, don't hesitate to contact us, we may be of any help to you.
Good Luck and have FUN!! And when it is all behind you? Buy a t-shirt with 'I did the Red Sea... and made it!'

[waterworldly]

"Pirate Pat" , the "Pirate on the Bridge" ,100 foot ship, hiring mercenaries, having lots of weapons on board ??????? This is a crusiers sight, correct? And I thought this was going to be FUN . . . how stupid of me.

[Alondra]

hey, hey...give the man a break, he is merely trying to get an answer and no, it aint fun going around in this area without any knowledge... sitting in Florida is easier than doing the red sea I can tell you...