Assab : Profile

Clearance

Because of the constant surge, coming alongside the dock can be dangerous, so it is advisable to anchor in the lee of the seawall. Officials rarely board yachts and formalities will be completed ashore. Assab should only be considered if the winds are unfavourable. There is little protection from strong southerlies and with these winds it is best to continue to Massawa.

Report to the port Immigration office for clearance. Visas can be obtained here.

Docking

There is however an excellent, sheltered anchorage just east of Assab on the west side of Lahaleb Deset.

Related Reports

Potential new trend in pirate tactics in an area of the Red Sea off Eritrea  (08 Sep 2011)

Eritrea , Massawa Updates (04 Dec 2009)

Thailand to the Med - 2009 (29 Jul 2009)

Massawa, Eritrea - Important Changes  (15 Apr 2009)

Red Sea, Eritrea - Yachts Pursued  (21 Jan 2009)

Cruising Notes on Eritrea (30 Dec 2008)

SE Asia to Turkey 2008 (04 Dec 2008)

Red Sea and Gulf of Aden Cruising Tips (25 Jul 2008)

A Beautiful Time in the Dahlak Bank, Eritrea (25 Jun 2008)

Southerly Red Sea Passage (01 Jun 2008)

Eastwards Across the Andaman Sea (14 May 2008)

Sailing in Eritrean Waters (29 Apr 2008)

Beautiful cruising along Gulf of Aden and Red Sea in 2007 (22 Apr 2008)

Mediterranean to Singapore: Cruising Report (17 Jan 2008)

Thailand to Turkey 2007 Part One – Thailand to Massawa in Eritrea (19 Nov 2007)

Thailand to Turkey 2007 Part Two – Massawa in Eritrea to Turkey (19 Nov 2007)

Sailing From Asia To The Med Can Be Trouble-Free (23 Mar 2007)

Yacht Abandoned Off Eritrean Coast As Skipper Goes Missing (06 Mar 2007)

Recent Cruising Accounts Of Red Sea Passages (05 Dec 2006)

Concern Over Recent Piracy Attacks off Somalia (14 May 2006)

Egypt, Yemen, Eritrea and Seychelles Update (13 Sep 2005)

Report on Red Sea Passage 2003 (28 Jun 2005)

Bab El Mandeb Straits To Eritrea: Cruising Report 2005 (25 Feb 2005)

Massawa Well Worth A Visit (31 Dec 2002)

Related News

Thailand to Turkey Convoy through the Gulf of Aden Cancelled (23 Nov 2011)

NSC Pirate Attack Group Map Update (07 Oct 2011)

Treat with Extreme Caution - Convoys & Rallies through the Indian Ocean (22 Sep 2011)

Pirate Alley and Eritrea (08 Apr 2011)

Latest News of Danish Crew Seized by Pirates (08 Mar 2011)

Warning to Yachts to Avoid Eritrea (27 Feb 2011)

Update on Eritrea Incident reported 8 April (12 Apr 2008)

Yacht Pursued in Eritrea (08 Apr 2008)

Pirates Attack French Yacht and Take Crew Hostage (05 Apr 2008)

Convoys Through Gulf Of Aden & Red Sea (28 Feb 2008)

Free weather service for yachts transiting the Red Sea (12 Apr 2003)

Updated advice for boats sailing through piracy areas (08 Apr 2002)