Dangerous sea regions

The activities of piracy described further on are based on newest information. Very quickly these situations can change to the good or worse. Therefore it is advisable to get as much information as possible before starting a voyage. This can be done through consulates, the Foreign Office, travel agencies, cruising clubs and specially through ham radio contact with other sailors.

In many cases violence against yachties is determined by individuals, not regions. If the prime subject is killed and the gang in jail (as it happened in Rio Dulce, Gualemala) the situation for yachties is back to normal.

One should avoid giving alcohol to visitors on your yacht in third world countries. Many of those are not used to it and it can light aggressions very quickly.

Another problem are drugs. Some victims said that pirates had obviously taken drugs. This was reported from Venezualian waters.

Europe

The sea regions of Europe are without pirates.

Cape Verde Islands

Many Africans flee from the continent to the Cape Verde Islands for better jobs. Some tried so hijack a yacht. According to latest information on the island of Mindelo criminals break into yachts or try stealing and attacking skippers ashore. According to newest information specially on Mindelo island drug smugglers and drug consumers effect more trouble for sailors. Burglaries are done spontaneously. The situation may, however, have changed recently. It seems that on each island the situation can vary from peaceful (Sal) to a little chaotic (Mindelo).

Brazil

Organized gangs and spontaneous attacks by poor fisher men have happened. Braziln and Somalia are the countries where pirates go for commercial ships as well as for yachts. The gang attacking Sir Peter Blake's yacht ‘Seamaster’ a 36 Meter long mega yacht, was not impressed by the length of this yacht even not by the number of 10 crew. In the same area of the Amazon mouth a German mega yacht and a French 26 Meter luxury Jongert were attacked. On all three yachts were professional crew. All yachts were plundered.
Brazil has a long coast line with hundreds of bays and rivers. Most of these are believed to be without pirates. The more dangerous activities seemed to be centred around the Amazon mouth and the region of Santos or Forteleza.

Venezuela

Some bluewater sailors keep this country in bad memory. Many attacks on yachts have been registered, especially in the eastern regions. Although mainly poor fishermen are involved. One case became public where members of the Venezuelan Coast Guard tried to raid a German yacht near Isla Tortuga. Officials in Venezuela believe that inland drug dealers are involved in these raids. In the following regions sailors should not anchor, yachts should sail in company and fishermen approaching with their boats should be watched very carefully: Between Isla Margarita und the district of Sucre including Mochima and the islands near Puerto La Cruz, East of the peninsulas Paria and Araya, near the mouth of Amacuro and the river Pedernales, near Boca del Dragon, in the Golfo de Venezuela near the Venezuelan-Columbian border. The region around Isla Los Roques and Isla Los Aves are safe. Ten years ago Venezuela was a pirate free country. Since beginning of the political difficulties the picture has changed. Hopefully it can change to the better just as fast.

Trindad

Just a few years ago Trinidad seemed to be one of the safest places for cruisers. This has changed in the last year. Specially in the Chaguaramas region dinghy and outboard thefts have escalated, boats were entered and robbed and sailors have been attacked ashore. It is recommended to hoist and chain dinghies and take cautions against robbery aboard and ashore.

Columbia

The situation is better than its image. Beautiful Cartagena seems to be pretty safe. On the other hand just on September 29, 2002 three US yachts have been attacked at Punta Hermosa, 50 nm NE of Cartagena.The situation is different in the east near the Venezuelan border. Both countries claim different border lines which means avoiding the West cost of the Golfo de Venezuela.

Another dangerous area is the Southern part of the Golfo de Darien. the Golfo de Uraba, Where drugs are smuggled with speed boats. This does not effect the beautiful San Blas Isl. off the Panama coast

Nicaragua/Honduras

Both countries suffered badly from hurricane Mitch and earthquakes as well as political instability leading to poverty and a fundamental readiness for violence. In addition, there is the permanent controversy regarding both countries offshore border lines. On both sides of the border the presence of army and police is minimal. On the outer Cayos off the Honuras coast two attacks were reported with two people being killed.

Guatemala

Guatemala’s coast line is only short. This area is of special interest for sailors due to the Rio Dulce. The river and lakes plus the upcoming marinas are beautiful, surrounded by a breathtaking panorama serve sailors as an important hurricane hole. The Rio Dulce has developed to a pirate port, one of the most dangerous places of all cruising grounds within in the last 7 years. The situation has changed to the better. More yachts visit this beautiful natural harbour. The marinas are safe again secured by guards with watch dogs. They say that drug smugglers are interested in having a safe Rio Dulce so police doesn't interfere their business. My advice: Get latest information by ham radio to find out if anchoring is advisable.

Ecuador

Of the long Pacific coastline from North to South America the only acts of piracy are reported from Ecuador's main harbour Guayaquil. Though there was a tragic attack on an anchorage in Sua, near Esmeralda, piracy is concentrated in the main harbour of the city of Guayaquil. According to my information pirates do not distinguish here between commercial ships and yachts. But again, check by ham radio if the situation has changed to the better.

Solomon Islands

Some robbery was reported fom the anchorage in Honiara. But since the end of the riots in 2002 no more violance has been reported.

Papua New Guinee

In the last years attacks have been reported. But like in other areas violance comes and goes. 12 Years ago Port Moresby was not a safe place at all. Now it seems to be a totally different situation. Again, get your latest information by ham or by calling your embassy.

South East Asia

The waters surrounding Indonesia and the Philippines, and the China Sea belong to a region where piracy has been a tradition since hundred if not thousands of years. Some yachtsmen have been sailing here for years and not seen a pirate. Still in the Southern Philippenian islands of the Sulu Sea moslem Tausang and rebels of the Abu Sayaf are fighting for their rights and their independence against Christian Philippine military units. One should avoid this particular area.
A new area of unsecurity for sailors is the high sea south of Indonesia. It is reported that four yachts have had contact with fisherboats on their way from Australia to South Africa. Some yachts have been hindered by on collision course, others have been pursued during the night.
An area of questionable reputation is the Karimata Strait in Indonesia and it’s northern extension, the ill-reputed Malakka Strait where professional pirates concentrate their business mainly on commercial ships. But no report of piracy lately has been reported.

It seems that Asian waters are far safer than their reputation.

Somalia

Pirates in Somalia seem to be well organized. Each gang is totally submitted to a clan leader. Various clans have divided the western part of the Indian Ocean in sections. In big boats they operate lauching smaller, faster boats whenever they come closer to foreign vessels. In these these boats gangs of 5 to 8 crew arelooking for loot. They attack commercial vessels, container ships, cruisers as well as yachts. Somalian pirates go for ransom. They capture the boats and get in contact with the owner or insurance company. It is advisable to keep a distance of 400 nautical miles to the coast of Somalia order to feel safe. Even in Seychelle waters they start looking for ships to attack. It is not advisable to cruise through the Golf of Aden nore the Indian Ocean west of 56° E. Even convois of up to 11 yachts have been attacked.

Yemen – Gulf of Aden

Piracy in these waters has a long tradition. In ancient times pirates from Yemen made their living by attacking Arabian dhaus, later European merchant ships, nowadays they concentrate on small cargo boats and yachts attacking them with two or three small open boats with strong engines.
All men carry kalashnikows. As in the Gulf of Aden the prevailing winds are mainly light these boats make long passages out to sea. When the sea is rough they don’t work, which means safe passages for sailors. These pirates are not interested in ransom, they want cash, jewellery, electrical equipment. Often the raid is organized ashore. Agents who help sailors to buy fuel, vegetables, food, water etc. question them already in Oman harbours about their itinerary, crew, arms etc. getting the information they are looking for. It happens that a boat comes near with men in uniform or camouflage pretending they are officials and then insisting for bakshish. According to newest information there are no pirates based on the island of Socotra. The dangerous area extends from the Gulf of Aden to the North of Bab-el-Mandeb and up to the Hanesh Islands. One should keep a safety distance of 30 nautival miles