Piracy update

[Fogg 427]

From one of my daily security bulletins:

 

Africa: Somali pirates release British couple

 

Somali pirates on 14 November released a British couple who had been held in captivity since October 2009. Media reports suggest that a ransom of at least $750,000 was paid to secure their release; however, a family spokesperson refused to comment on the claim and the British government denied paying the ransom. The couple's yacht was hijacked in the Indian Ocean, approximately 60 nautical miles (111km) west of the Seychelles.

 

Comment and Analysis

 

The release of kidnapped couple underlines the fact that the killing of hostages by Somali pirates is unusual. Hijackings involving yachts usually result in the hostages being brought ashore and held for ransom. However, the latest news reinforces the significant risks associated with maritime travel in the region at this time of year. With the conclusion of the south-westerly (summer/June-September) monsoon season, calmer seas have encouraged pirates to return to the Indian Ocean; a spike in pirate activity is likely until the return of the north-easterly monsoon season (December-March).

 

A lack of government control in Somalia allows pirates to operate relatively freely, and hijackings in the region are common despite the presence of numerous military vessels in the waters around Somalia. Recent figures released by the International Chamber of Commerce International Maritime Bureau show that between January and September 2010, Somali pirates were responsible for 44% of the 289 reported piracy incidents worldwide, including 35 of the 39 ship hijackings; the report also shows that 773 hostages were taken during this period.

 

On 8 November, a South African sailor was rescued by an EU Naval Force Somalia warship after his yacht was hijacked several days earlier; his two colleagues remain captive. In April 2009, four French nationals were rescued in a military operation after being hijacked approximately 350 nautical miles (600km) off the Somali coast. Earlier incidents in the Seychelles region include the hijack in March 2009 of a catamaran in which three Seychelles nationals were taken hostage. In April 2008, a tourist yacht operated by a London-based company, which had seven local crew members on board, was seized. The spate of incidents in 2009 highlighted the increasing ability of pirates to operate at a significant distance from bases in Somalia.

 

Travel Advice

 

Sailing or motor yachts are strongly advised to avoid the Gulf of Aden, Somali territorial waters, the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean waters west of 60 degrees east longitude and north of 5 degrees south latitude. Appropriate self-protection is also advised north of ten degrees south and west of 78 degrees east, as piracy has occurred in these areas.

Seek expert advice prior to sailing in waters affected by piracy. Consider commissioning an itinerary-specific risk assessment and vessel vulnerability assessment.

All vessels transiting the lower Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea or western Indian Ocean are advised to maintain a strict 24 hour visual and radar anti-piracy watch. Vessels in these waters are encouraged to register with the EU's Maritime Security Centre – Horn of Africa (MSC-HOA) and maintain communications with UK Maritime Trade Operations (Dubai) (UKMTO) and US Maritime Liaison Office (MARLO) (Bahrain).

Follow all International Maritime Organization (IMO) and International Sailing Federation (ISAF) guidelines for preventing and suppressing acts of piracy and armed robbery against ships.

[smithy09 50]

One of the supply boats next to us here in Abu Dhabi has razor wire all down the topsides.. I guess the threat is very real..

[Guest]

And it has the additional safety bonus of discouraging crew from falling overboard?By the time you hit the water you are already chummed for the sharks?

[Atom Ant 0]

Here's the answer: Found on google. Translated by babelfish...

 

16,000 unarmed merchant ships each year to try sailing through the Gulf of Aden to sail and not the Somali pirates to be upset. A Russian cruise business now turns the tables around and loads of Russians to hunt down pirates before the coast of Somalia, the most dangerous waterway in the world.

 

His business idea is simple: His cruise ship is the bait for the pirates. If the real pirates try to board the seemingly harmless ship, they experience a surprise. Instead defenseless merchant sailors they are confronted with Russian tourists armedto the teeth . A macabre tourist fun.

 

A day on board the chartered cruise ship costs $ 5,790. They drive until the real pirates attack. At least one pirate attack is guaranteed by the travel agency.

 

The route goes from Djibouti to Mombasa in Kenya. The ship sails as close to the Somali coast as possible with a speed of only five nautical miles. The tourists can buy and use weapons according to their wishes and budget.

 

A gun-type AK-47 can be rented for $ 9 a day by the Russian passengers on board. 100 rounds of ammunition cost $ 12. A grenade launcher costs $ 175 a day. This rent includes three grenades. The use of one of the railing mounted machine guns should cost $ 475.

 

In order for the pirates not to get stupid ideas, rich Russians will receive an extra personal protection. On board of the ship are at any time a large number of former employees of Russian special commands. The Russian elite fighters on the cruise ship mainly take care of security at night.

[wheels 543]

The concerning point about the British couple incident was that they were captured just a day out of the Mauritiuse Islands. That was one heck of a long way off shore from Africa. And a long long way away from the Gulf.

[Steve Pope 243]

I think you will find it was the Seychelles, and apparently there was a British navy vessel that basically stood by and did nothing as they were either waiting for permission to act from the Admiralty or were refused permission. A time for a "nelson" eye if ever there was one.

[wheels 543]

Ooopes . It was an Island off the coast of Africa which ever it was called.

[Guest]

Does anyone know what has happened to their boat? They look very happy to be out, but are they going to be boatless?

[Guest]

I wonder if they were "potted".Someone in the know in the Seychelles phoned the pirates and reported their departure and their next intended port.