Somali pirates

[Seymore]

Somali pirates are (almost) subdued...

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-46454055

[ShellBack89]

This is an area that could disrupt a full circumnavigation. It’s calmed down for now but I’ve been there wearing a US flag. They didn’t like us then and I’m sure we’re being left off the Christmas card this year again. How do people plan for this area When circumnavigating?

[mikedefieslife]

That reads as though there have still been attacks in 2018 only saved by having men with big guns on board.

And the pirates were 300nm from shore, that's a long way in small skiff.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by mikedefieslife

That reads as though there have still been attacks in 2018 only saved by having men with big guns on board.

And the pirates were 300nm from shore, that's a long way in small skiff.

They operate from motherships.. like Equadorian fishermen in the S Pacific..
As for circumnavigating.. Just stay further South and go Maldives, under Madagascar to Cape Town.

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by boatman61

They operate from motherships.. like Equadorian fishermen in the S Pacific..
As for circumnavigating.. Just stay further South and go Maldives, under Madagascar to Cape Town.

That how they did it in this book. (from a Mothership) The Tears of Dark Water by Corban Addison.

The pirates missed on a tanker they were trying to hijack and settled for a sailboat with father and son on a RTW Cruise. Great book!

https://www.amazon.com/Tears-Dark-Wa.../dp/0718042395

[mikedefieslife]

Makes sense. It does make any circumnavigation a bit more involving requiring those in the Med to do three Atlantic crossings.

[boatman61]

But a true circumnav.. no dodging Africa anymore

[daletournier]

Originally Posted by mikedefieslife

That reads as though there have still been attacks in 2018 only saved by having men with big guns on board.

And the pirates were 300nm from shore, that's a long way in small skiff.

There definitely is still incidents, just not against yachts. There was six pirates captured 150nm of the Seychelles while I was there at the end of last year while I was there. They were brought to the Seychelles.

[ShellBack89]

Originally Posted by mikedefieslife

That reads as though there have still been attacks in 2018 only saved by having men with big guns on board.

And the pirates were 300nm from shore, that's a long way in small skiff.

Watch Captain Phillips with Tom Hanks. The movie details the use of mother ships operating 300 plus miles off shore and then launching skiffs in an attempt to hijack shipping boats. The move is about 90% accurate to the actual events. This was prior to the large multinational naval presence but their tactics have remain unchanged when using motherships.

Originally Posted by boatman61

As for circumnavigating.. Just stay further South and go Maldives, under Madagascar to Cape Town.

Thanks for the routing tip!

Originally Posted by boatman61

But a true circumnav.. no dodging Africa anymore

What would the route look like if dodging Africa was being considered? I know it’s not a true circumnav.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by ShellBack89

Watch Captain Phillips with Tom Hanks. The movie details the use of mother ships operating 300 plus miles off shore and then launching skiffs in an attempt to hijack shipping boats. The move is about 90% accurate to the actual events. This was prior to the large multinational naval presence but their tactics have remain unchanged when using motherships.

Thanks for the routing tip

What would the route look like if dodging Africa was being considered? I know it’s not a true circumnav.

Dodging Africa to me is the Suez... only have to touch Egypt.. as opposed to S to the countries like Mozambique, Madagascar, S Africa..

[ShellBack89]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Dodging Africa to me is the Suez... only have to touch Egypt.. as opposed to S to the countries like Mozambique, Madagascar, S Africa..

Thanks!

[longjonsilver]

dunno, but i always thot that the best way to circumnav was to go from west to east like they do in the round the world races. However, didn't they have a backwards round the world race onetime?
jon

[nhschneider]

When we were trying to decide whether to go through the Straits of Oman and up through the Red Sea or go around South Africa, the pirate activity was still pretty hot. We seriously considered hiring armed security to join us (boarding in the Maldives) but the costs, stress and lack of insurance coverage convinced us to go around South Africa. We’re delighted we did as we had a fabulous time in South Africa and Namibia. Regardless, we do know boats that made the Straits of Oman/Red Sea transit without incident the same year we sailed to Africa.

Fair winds and calm seas.

[daletournier]

Originally Posted by boatman61

They operate from motherships.. like Equadorian fishermen in the S Pacific..
As for circumnavigating.. Just stay further South and go Maldives, under Madagascar to Cape Town.

Imo go across the top and down the west coast of Madagascar, cross to Mozambique and head south down the coast to cape town, imo its easier, I just did it. Wasn't hard and Nosey be etc was very cool.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by daletournier

Imo go across the top and down the west coast of Madagascar, cross to Mozambique and head south down the coast to cape town, imo its easier, I just did it. Wasn't hard and Nosey be etc was very cool.

My memory of the seas between Madagascar and Africa was oily swells and little wind.. could have been down to the time of year.