Latest News from Aden

Created by doina. Last modified on 2002-12-05 14:57:20
Contributors: Jez, S/Y Winter Hawk
Countries: Oman, Yemen

Arrived safely in Aden, Yemen. No pirates as yet thankfully...

Voyage was slow as the winds were very light 6kts to 12kts. Mainly from the NE or NW, though in the evenings the direction typically changed to SE. On arrival at Aden the wind strength increased but I feel this is due to the breeze coming off the rocky outcrop. These were more in the range of 15kts to 24kts. Currents were generally favourable in 0.5 / 1.0 kt range setting west. Occasionally the current would push the yacht either N or S with rates exceeding 2kts. Voyage took six days from Salalah.

Arriving at night was not a problem, the officials did not require my taking a pilot. It is relatively simple to reach the break wall; after which proceed with care due to the miriad of oil supply floats, mooring buoys, abandoned hulks and the occasional yacht or small fishing skiff.

Checking in is as follows: No charges.

Courtesy flags are not available for sale in Aden, unless you pay someone to make it for you. Officials advised that this would not be a problem.

Visit Customs first. Officials cannot read Arabian or English documents issued in Oman. After a few moments big smiles and I was directed to Immigration.

At Immigration the new requirements stipulate that all crew must supply passport style photographs together with a photocopy of passport. There are no facilities available for photocopying nor photographs so ensure you have them with you. Passports are retained if you wish to leave the immediate port area. A shore pass is issued to allow movement around the nearby towns. Upon your return to the port - which must be no later than midnight - you must hand in the shore pass and collect your passport. A fine of ten dollars is levied on latecomers. This control allows the authorities to maintain awareness of the whereabouts of foreigners, and will alert them if anyone should go missing which in the present circumstances is a priority according to officials I spoke to.

Checking out as follows: No charges.

Visit Immigration for a certificate to take to the Port Control/ Harbour Masters office, located ten minutes walk away. Go up to the fouth floor and hand the papers to the officials who will complete various books and forms. At the completion of this proceedure they will return your paper from Immigration duly stamped! Return to the Immigration office and get a second stamp. This clearance will then be valid for twenty four hours.

There are no oil slicks at present in the anchorage.

The entire port seems almost at a standstill, no container ships have berthed during the past three days. By comparision to Salalah, in a three day period there is generally never a period of such quiet, and you would probably see at least three to four ships per day with more at night.

The entire town is filthy dirty, and reminicent of a war zone, which it was until 1994. It would appear that no rebuilding has taken place.

Shopping is good for foods and vegetables, also diesel fuel.

People are friendly and pleased to meet foreigners.

A warning was issued recently advising that Yemen is likely to be subjected to a terrorist attack. NB On the last night in Salalah a bomb threat was made against the US military supply ship. The crew were restricted to the ship on a code Delta (whatever that really means). Divers were in the water looking for bombs attached to the hull so I think the threat was considerd quite serious. As usual the ship was guarded by the local coastguard and a "wall" of containers built along the quay to prevent access to unauthorised personnel...

Ramadam makes everything very difficult. Virtually all stores and businesses including museums and Internet cafes are closed until at least 1800 or perhaps 2000.

Jez, S/Y Winter Hawk

December 2002