The information below was transferred from the OCC Website prior to migration to a new website in May 2017

Piracy in the Somali Basin/Western Indian Ocean

What this page is about

This page aims to provide up-to-date and accurate information, obtained from official sources, on the latest situation on piracy in the western Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden (the High Risk Area). It will also point to helpful official websites which are increasingly carrying information specifically targeted at cruisers. Finally, we carry information on a yacht shipping service which can carry your yachts through these dangerous waters.

THREAT IN THE SOMALI BASIN CONTINUES:

The combined threat assessment of International Naval Counter Piracy Forces is and remains that:

All sailing yachts under their own passage should remain out of the High Risk Area (HRA) or face the risk of being hijacked and held hostage for ransom.

See http://www.mschoa.org/docs/public-documents/yachting-piracy-bulletin-final-version.pdf?sfvrsn=2

EU NAVFOR ATALANTA
EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Somalia - Operation Atalanta is part of the EU 's comprehensive approach to tackle symptoms and root causes of piracy off the coast of Somalia and the EU Strategic Framework for the Horn of Africa adopted in November 2011.

EU NAVFOR conducts anti-piracy operations off the coast of Somalia and the Indian Ocean and is responsible for the protection of World Food Programme (WFP) shipping carrying humanitarian aid to the people of Somalia and Horn of Africa as well as the logistic shippings supporting the African Union troops conducting Peace Support Operations in Somalia (AMISOM). Additionally, Operation Atalanta contributes to the monitoring of fishing activity off the coast of Somalia.

For more information, please visit their website www.eunavfor.eu.

ELSEWHERE:

The advice from the RYA for the rest of the world is to look at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office official site https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice and to heed their recommendations.

In January 2017, there have been a number of reports of piracy off Honduras

See news items in the Caribbean Safety and Security Net

Warning for those in Malaysia’s Sabah state, Philippine and Indonesian Waters

An incident of piracy was reported off the Sulu province on 7th November 2016.

Other kidnappings are taking place in this area.

The Indonesia’s government has urged Indonesian crewmen in Sabah to avoid sailing in the risky waters until security has improved. The kidnappings in this area have continued despite the military offensives against Abu Sayyaf, mainly in Sulu and the nearby island province of Basilan.

IMPORTANT ALERT ISSUED 2ND JAN 2016

Piracy against sailing yachts reported in the closing days of 2015 in the Caribbean north of Trinidad. The Commodore issued an alert and took action to combat this new threat. See Press Release issued by the OCC 2 January 2016.

Piracy reported north of Trinidad

The OCC has taken a proactive stance and is working with the government of Trinidad and Tobago to mitigate the situation. A report was issued by the Yacht Services Association of Trinidad and Tobago (9th Jan 2016).

Posted on behalf of Guy Chester

Dear Johan,

I have been in numerous 'pirate' areas, SE Asia and Caribbean etc.

Firstly, World Sailing has some very good policy/docs re piracy.

In 2014, in asia, I had folk aboard in the night taking fuel drums and attempting to remove the outboard. Loud noise and bright spot light scared them away. Holding spotlight to one side rather than in front of your body is sensible in case it gets shot at.

In 2015 was on passage Trinidad to Grenada during the time some Venezuelan guys in a pirogue approached a yacht. It's in CSSN.

I suggest at night all hatches are locked, companionway shut in risky anchorages. We had security screens/bars on some hatches to allow ventilation.

Outboard should be locked onto dinghy. Dinghy pulled out of water and locked to boat.

I do not suggest having a gun aboard. It is a very difficult thing in many countries if declared often kept in bond until you leave. Then leaving from a different port to arrival causes issues getting it returned. Keeping a gun aboard without declaring risks jail and loss of boat in many jurisdictions.

The Peter Blake story should be used as a case on NOT carrying a gun. The issue clearly is you must shoot first and to maim or worse ... I am certainly not prepared to do that.

Discussion of how to deescalate the situation if boarded is good... having $1000 in cash readily offered...

Regarding AIS, folk should heed local officials advice. For example, on the Grenada to Trinidad crossing, Trinidad Coastguard wants AIS on, and radio reporting... they will track your progress and need to be able to match your AIS with your radar signature to then pick up any other radar signatures which could be "unfriendlies" .

Hope this helps,

Guy Chester
OCC Roving Rear Commodore
OCC Indo-Pacific Coordinator








Cheers

Guy Chester

Owner
Oceans Tribute

+x

 

Simon Currin - 11 Oct 2023

Johan Gyllensward writes:

Hello,
I’m engaged in the Swedish ocean sailing association (www.osk.org) and working with our magazine. We recently had an article about a couple that were robbed and assaulted twice in Panama. Im going to follow up this article with some reflections how to improve security onboard.

What are the risks/probabilities to be robbed (or theft for that matter), reading from the Caribbean Safety and Security Net, it seems that it´s quite low (thanks god) at least in decent places.

How could one prepare the boat and the crew?

Is it advisable to bring weapon on board.

I would be interesting to understand OCC´s view on this and any discussion ongoing in your organization. I browsed the forum category for safety, but didn’t find anything. Maybe there is a discussion ongoing elsewhere.

I would appreciate if you could put me in contact with a relevant person.

Thanks in advance,
Johan Gyllensward

Simon