Attempted yacht piracy report

[Island Time 1,226]

This from someone we met in Thailand in 2012. They are still out there, this was this year...

 

Hi
Apologies for not writing sooner but we have had no internet coverage. We are now in Egypt.
Backtracking a bit, we experienced a great sail from the Maldives across the Arabian Sea. Light winds from 6-18 knots made for a pleasant passage.  Upon departure from Uligan we sent daily position reports to the UKMTO so they would know our whereabouts in case we should meet pirates and followed their protocol.
We had a small fishing boat approach us mid ocean. We were on high alert but as they came closer we saw they were smiling, holding up a tuna and shaking empty water bottles. Immediately on seeing the children they whipped out their mobile phones and started taking photos of us. We had a great chat to the Sri Lankan crew as they motored close to us on our port quarter. We gave them water and they passed on 5 packets  of biscuits for the kids, which delighted them no end. All fisherman we had met have been friendly.
At UTC 0530 on Sunday 18 February 2018 sailing vessel AraKai was approached by 5 skiffs in position 13* 58.42’N, 51* 37.62’E. We were steering a course of 252 degrees and were in the middle zone of the IRTC (Internationally recognised transit corridor) in the Gulf of Aden.
First skiff was sighted whilst approximately 2nm from AraKai and was approaching quickly on our starboard quarter from the Yemen coastline. Weather conditions were benign and we were motoring at 5 knots on 1 engine. Another skiff was seen soon after. A “Mayday” call was issued on VHF Channel 16. Container vessel Thalassa Nikki acknowledged our distress. The ship was travelling towards us in the IRTC eastbound at 12nm distance.
The OOW (Officer on watch) advised us to contact “Coalition Warships” on VHF 08. Nothing was heard.
The master of AraKai phoned UKMTO to alert them of imminent pirate attack. Whilst on the satellite phone 2 more skiffs were visible. 4 in total were now hunting AraKai.
We saw 5 people in 1 skiff as they closed in on our starboard side. They then proceeded to cross our bow and  became stationary approximately 0.5nm from us. The 3 other skiffs crossed us on our port quarter remaining further away. No weapons were sighted as we have no height advantage at 3m above sea level. The container ship on hearing a second Mayday from us saying 4 skiffs are in the vicinity alerted us that a Coalition helicopter will be in the area within 15 minutes. The ship altered course and made towards us. We were effectively being shepherded away from the ship as the skiffs set up for an attack.
A navy helicopter appeared and hovered over the skiffs. Thalassa Nikki upon seeing the coalition helicopter adjusted her speed to over 20 knots and proceeded east on her voyage.
The skiffs then altered course and we noted 5 in total. 2 skiffs closed within 200 metres of our stern and this information was relayed to the UKMTO. I was actually on the phone to them at the time and I could only imagine my voice must have been squealing in hysteria as sheer terror gripped my heart.
The navy helicopter informed us a Japanese Navy aeroplane had been deployed and was on the way to our position. They continued to circle us until the plane arrived 40 minutes later.
The Japanese Navy aircraft recommended to  us to alter course back eastwards to rendezvous with a Japanese warship, which was 66nm from us. They advised us they will continue to circle us until we reach the warship. The aeroplane continued circling us for the next few hours reporting the position of the skiffs. The skiffs followed us on a parallel course at a distance of 5-7nm. As we turned on a reciprocal course back eastwards they followed suit. We were continually updated on the range and bearing of the Japanese warship. With both engines we were making only 8 knots.
It was especially humbling when the aircraft advised us 3 skiffs are on fast approach to our position. The Japanese warship was 16nm from us. Lach looks at me and utters "It's all over".  The skiffs will reach us before the warship. Whatever transpired with the coalition forces and our guardian angels we were nearly in tears as 2 large grey behemoths loomed on the horizon. 
The appearance at such a critical time may be all that spared us. At 1100 UTC Pakistani Navy vessel FFG 253 and Japanese warship came into view. The Japanese Navy aircraft reported the skiffs were no longer within 10nm of us and departed. The Pakistani Navy vessel delivered extra fuel to us and we had concerns we would have enough to reach Djibouti on both engines. We wanted to travel at top speed to get out of the area. No wind was forecasted so sailing was not an option. The Pakistani navy upon boarding AraKai gave us monogrammed hats, a massive box full of biscuits, chips and soft drinks and took photos with all of us. It took all my willpower not to throw myself at the feet of special forces officer (Jamal) and scream "Don't leave us". We were told we will be under escort the rest of the way to Djibouti. We are incredibly lucky that we were not attacked however the threat was all to real. At no time did the skiffs look or act like fisherman. No nets, floats, flags were visible. We were essentially sitting ducks! Our fake gun with laser sight just seemed ludicrous as an anti piracy device. It was a sobering and frightening experience.
We made it to Djibouti with both engines chugging away for 3 consecutive days. Both Lach and I did not want to contemplate how close we had come to destroying the lives of our children. Both Siara and Kai are unaffected by the experience as we masked our fear well. Kai happily played on his IPad during the entire "suspicious pirate activity". Siara was instrumental in relaying information to me as I coordinated with the coalition forces. She is an absolute trooper.
We can never express enough gratitude to the coalition forces for their exceptional response to our plight.
After Djibouti we made a night passage through  Bab El Mandeb (it's the narrow strait that separates Africa from the Arabian peninsula). It was reassuring to hear the Djibouti navy calling up all vessels transiting the area. We had skiff phobia and were quaking at the knees whenever we saw one.
With 25 knots + of wind astern of us AraKai ricocheted through the strait and by morning we were north of the Hanish Islands and now out of the High Risk Corridor.
We spent 2 days exploring Massawa, Eritrea. We thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful Italian and Turkish architecture although most was riddled with bullet holes from the civil war with Ethiopia which lasted nearly 30 years. The Northern Red Sea National Museum was intriguing for all of us as Eritrea has a rich cultural history. 30% of the soldiers in the civil war were women.
Lach enjoyed eating "injeera" a fermented pancake made from Tef with spicy curry.
We sat down in a local bar to enjoy a cold Asmara Beer and within 20 minutes a bar fight breaks out with the female owner brandishing a beer bottle determined to rid her establishment of the unruly customers.
Note to one self. Lach and I really must stop putting our kids in such perilous situations.
Another customer in the bar paid for our drinks as he said he did not wish us to think Eritreans were bad people. In fact we found the people really friendly and all spoke good English.
As we made our way towards Suakin, Sudan we were approached 4 times by the Eritrean navy. 2 of the vessels were fast skiffs just like our pirate encounter and we were freaking as we saw 3 men and a gun in each. I did note that the gun with one of our encounters had a cork in the end.
Our next port was Suakin, Sudan. This was an important trading post from the 10th century BC. Most of the old town limestone buildings had collapsed and lay in ruins but the Turkish government plans to resurrect it. Quite a feat!
The area is poor and full of ramshackle wooden buildings, goats and donkeys pulling carts. The Sudanese are a proud race though and we did enjoy our time there. It was the first time Siara and I donned scarfs to cover our heads.  We tried "Kissira" another flat pancake with goat stew. Siara and I were the only women eating in the "restaurant". The coffee was spiced with cardamom which was delicious.
We have day hopped up the Sudanese coast of which can only be described as an unexpected gem. The coral reef system is sensational and the anchorages in the Marsa's (protected bays) are divine.
From Suakin the winds have turned northerly on us which means we are beating into it. We would depart our anchorage first light and motor as far north as we could each day before the winds kicked in with avengence.
We have caught lots of barracuda which is edible here in the Red Sea as they are devoid of ciguatera. Siara and Spook are delighted with this.
We finally got a calm weather window and managed to motor 250nm to Port Ghalib, Egypt. We spent 3 days in this Disney land like marina. The entire development exists on
catering to European prepackaged holiday makers. Lots of dive boats operate out of it as the reef is stunning.
We are sailing overnight towards Hurghada and should make for an anchorage just north of the township by morning.
Stay happy and well.
Hugs

Louise Wilkins
Skype : lachinlouise

[Guest 000]

And as I said in a post many months ago and got roundly rubbished for, pirates are not nice people - not a jolly Jack Tar with a wooden leg and a parrot on his shoulder but raping pillaging murderers intend on spreading terror and misery wherever they go.

Any I would no more fly the jolly Roger from my spreader for a bit of fun than I would the ISIS flag.

[Island Time 1,226]

Same, and I said that too. After being there in the middle of it, pirates have a special meaning to me, and it's far from good...

[Battleship 100]

Wow great read. Lucky to escape that one. There is obviously still cruising traffic in the Gulf of Aden I don't know much about the area but why risk it?

[Island Time 1,226]

because if you are going to do a circumnavigation, its that or the great capes.... + no yacht has been taken since 2011....

but some risk remains.

[Battleship 100]

Ok, so avoids the Horn of Africa, makes sense.

[Island Time 1,226]

Nope, it passes the horn of Africa, you mean the cape of good hope.

[MarkMT 68]

Is Cape of Good Hope such a difficult passage? Just asking. I know Webb Chiles did it solo westward last year in his Moore 24, though admittedly he's not known for seeking comfortable conditions. Laid ahull on a few occasions to wait out weather but seemed to manage without any great drama. Seems like it might involve less risk than what the correspondent above had to deal with.

[Battleship 100]

Fair enough

[darkside 61]

We did that run in 2003, there was a lot of concern, a few incidents but no harm done.

It has certainly ramped up since then and no way would I do it now.

Friends that we went through with in 2003 are doing it again this year in a big Catana.

They departed Thailand this week for the Med like this.

 

http://crew.org.nz/forum/index.php/gallery/image/463-cat/

[Ed 143]

I’m guessing no one here went to the pirate party at the squadron last night.....

[Guest 000]

The cape of good hope is plagued by unpredictable currents. Years ago making the passage between Durban and Cape town in my 18 footer, I was advised to stay well offshore to avoid them - and of course also the traffic which was pretty heavy in those days with Suez being closed. It was a routine passage as I recall.

[Steve Pope 243]

The pirates venture well away the Horn of Africa, South to the Seychelles and beyond and East towards India. Generally with a Mother ship / Dhow.

[Dagwood 57]

Would it not make sense for the coalition forces to set up a schedule of escorted passages? Better cover and requiring less resources or is the area affected too large and the variation between the transiting vessel's speed and capability be too greater an issue?

[muzled 140]

because if you are going to do a circumnavigation, its that or the great capes.... + no yacht has been taken since 2011....

but some risk remains.

 

Has no yacht been taken but only because of being shepherded through by a 10,000 tonne warship though?  What if the warship didn't quite arrive in time?  Seems only a matter of time before someone is the unlucky boat that doesn't make it through no?

 

Almost makes Cape of Good Hope and Horns seem like a 'safe' place to be, at least it's (mostly) up to you and and your boat as to if you make it around rather than any number of bad asses hunting you.

[Island Time 1,226]

I was there at the peak piracy 2010/2011 season. The coalition forces are not interested in yachts and tell them not to go. That was the last time yachts were actually attacked or taken. (Quest, ING, Capricorn). Many headed for the med from Thailand, or the Maldives etc went by ship. At over 50k US we couldn’t afford that. We were the last sailing vessel to attemp the passage to the NW for a few years. It’s not something I wish to repeat, but the piracy incidents have dramatically dropped since then.

Some yachts have tried to do the passage as a fleet, but IMO that’s worse - you are still unarmed, yet cover more water, and are more easily seen.

Careful consideration needs to be undertaken balancing the risks here, v a long (1000s of miles ) passage through often stormy waters.

[Island Time 1,226]

Oh, and the Cape of Good Hope was not known as the cape of storms for nothing....

[darkside 61]

You could argue going as fleet either way. We did but it certainly isn't easy maintaining a similar speed in a diverse group of boats.

I think back then it was a good idea as the pirates were opportunists, mostly people smugglers that "happened" across a yacht.

If they saw a group they might stay away and wait for a solo yacht.

 

Back then we had an advantage of speed.

We got approached once, not sure if it was pirates, but didn't want to find out.

With the screecher up and both engines maxed we were doing 11kn which was more than the displacement dhow following.

 

Also that year a Cav 45 outran a converted lifeboat being used a people smuggler, so the pirate boats weren't fast

 

Now they have skiffs with big outboards and your only chance is a big sea state I guess.

 

We did talk to the coalition warships and they sent helicopters to check us out but no offers of assistance.

[Timberwolfy 62]

My mate's dad was cruising Melbourne to Scotland in March 2011, heading to the Red Sea in a convoy when ING was taken. He wrote about it in his blog; it's an interesting account: https://scotcruising.wordpress.com/2011/03/01/salalah-via-pirate-paddock/

 

Basically, ING had the choice to go with their convoy, didn't, and was taken. That's not to say the convoy was the right choice, just that ING was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

 

I'll take the Capes any day.

[muzled 140]

 

 

Now they have skiffs with big outboards and your only chance is a big sea state I guess.

 

So basically wait until the sea is as rough as you'd get at the horns and go for gold...  

 

I've never been to the red sea or that part of the world, it's a shame its such a high risk manoeuvre to go through there with all the history and totally different culture they have, esp given the distance around the bottom.