Gulf of Mexico.......pirates?

[Giacomo56]

Hi all, will be traveling from Tampa to the keys...I have spoken to a few folks ..i want to anchor one or two nights by the Everglades on the way down and up...been warned about pirates.....has anyone actually been accosted or robbed by some? Do I really need to worry about pirates?

[coopec43]

Originally Posted by Giacomo56

Hi all, will be traveling from Tampa to the keys...I have spoken to a few folks ..i want to anchor one or two nights by the Everglades on the way down and up...been warned about pirates.....has anyone actually been accosted or robbed by some? Do I really need to worry about pirates?

It would be worthwhile reading the reports here

https://safety4sea.com/report-presen...ost-of-piracy/

OR HERE

https://www.yachtingmonthly.com/news/pirate-attacks-revealed-on-global-map-34955

I think a lot of the piracy involves shipping - oil tankers
http://www.marsecreview.com/2019/12/...tacks-in-2019/


Pirate attacks grow in South America and Caribbean: report

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-s...-idUSKCN1IO1JP


http://oceansbeyondpiracy.org/reports/sop/latin-america

[Paul L]

Originally Posted by Giacomo56

Hi all, will be traveling from Tampa to the keys...I have spoken to a few folks ..i want to anchor one or two nights by the Everglades on the way down and up...been warned about pirates.....has anyone actually been accosted or robbed by some? Do I really need to worry about pirates?

Tampa to the Keys by boat you are no more likely to be pirated as you are to be robbed if you did Tampa to the Keys by car.

[mvweebles]

Originally Posted by Paul L

Tampa to the Keys by boat you are no more likely to be pirated as you are to be robbed if you did Tampa to the Keys by car.

Jeez, that bad?

Have done the run from St Pete to Ft Jeff and Keys a couple times. Biggest danger is occasional crab pot.

[slug]

Originally Posted by Giacomo56

Hi all, will be traveling from Tampa to the keys...I have spoken to a few folks ..i want to anchor one or two nights by the Everglades on the way down and up...been warned about pirates.....has anyone actually been accosted or robbed by some? Do I really need to worry about pirates?

Most of the pirates have moved ashore

Now they work as yacht brokers , charter agents and insurance agents

[Happydrv]

Originally Posted by slug

Most of the pirates have moved ashore

Now they work as yacht brokers , charter agents and insurance agents

Now THAT'S FUNNY....! And so true.

I've done Key West to Punta Gorda a few times now. Always go non stop. Too many bugs near the glades. And much too far out of the way to go off course that far then back out. Lota pots in close too.
Only once had enough wind to sail. Other two times was motor only.
Twice stayed up all night once just shut down and went to bed with some lights on deck. Floated 9 miles west over night but didn't add much to the trip distance...

[Group9]

If mosquitos and no see-ums qualify as pirates, yes, you will be attacked at Little Shark River and Indian Key. And, it will be vicious, and relentless, and they will not stop until they hear you scream and beg for mercy.

[zeehag]

did that route in 2009 and 2010. only pirates were blown well and oil plumes and bad weather with lightning and seas. put 7500 miles on opb without incident other than busting a rudder and cracking hull on a spoils bank..hahahahaha but we still made it home.

[landsend]

Originally Posted by Group9

If mosquitos and no see-ums qualify as pirates, yes, you will be attacked at Little Shark River and Indian Key. And, it will be vicious, and relentless, and they will not stop until they hear you scream and beg for mercy.

HA! You can beg all you want. You can bend the knee. T'will be for naught! They will extract your blood and laugh in your face!

[Davy J]

Made this trip many times. No pirates, lots of crab traps in Florida Bay though. Currently in Marathon and will probably head back to Tampa in a few weeks. I’ve anchored at both Little Shark River and Indian Key Pass. Some trips there hasn’t even been another boat there.

If you don’t already have them, be sure to buy a couple of Thermocells and refill cartridges. They really do help.”

[Giacomo56]

Originally Posted by Davy J

Made this trip many times. No pirates, lots of crab traps in Florida Bay though. Currently in Marathon and will probably head back to Tampa in a few weeks. I’ve anchored at both Little Shark River and Indian Key Pass. Some trips there hasn’t even been another boat there.

If you don’t already have them, be sure to buy a couple of Thermocells and refill cartridges. They really do help.”

Will be in Marathon week of March 14th.......thanks for the feedback.

[lonesoldier0408]

Originally Posted by slug

Most of the pirates have moved ashore



Now they work as yacht brokers , charter agents and insurance agents

Anchoring laws lobbyists. Fraud of holding up the environmental cause, while robbing boaters.

[PirateGuy]

we be waiting for thee, me landlubber bucko

[smj]

Originally Posted by Group9

If mosquitos and no see-ums qualify as pirates, yes, you will be attacked at Little Shark River and Indian Key. And, it will be vicious, and relentless, and they will not stop until they hear you scream and beg for mercy.

Been eaten alive at Little Shark but strangely enough never had biting bugs at Indian Key.