Update On Gulf of Aden Piracy

Created by doina. Last modified on 2007-03-23 15:51:30
Contributors:
Topic: Piracy

Noonsite has just received the following update from Rod and Becky Nowlin. Their yacht "Mahdi" was attacked by pirates earlier this year while en route through the Gulf of Aden. They are therefore keen to find ways to help other sailors sailing that route:

We have obtained a permanent email contact for the 5th Fleet Headquarters, US Navy in Bahrain. This is the only place we have been able to determine that yachties might be able to contact to request an escort next year through the Gulf of Aden. The only other thing is for everyone to contact their representatives from their country and try to put pressure on them to give help to the yachts passing through this area. No one else seems to have any other suggestions. The French and the Germans appear to be doing most of the patrolling in the Gulf of Aden so their help is particularly important.

The email address is: CUSNC-BAHRAIN Fleet Watch Officer: CUSNC.FWO@me.navy.mil

We have spread the word any way possible, in magazines, papers, radio, TV, etc. to try to generate some support in this situation, but everyone needs to help!

Thanks for all of your help and support.

Rod & Becky Nowlin, S/V Mahdi, Israel

Note:Several sailors have written to Noonsite recently to point out that the piracy situation is not as bad as believed, and the few isolated incidents should not be blown out of all proportion. For a balanced view, we urge anyone interested in the subject to read the following two reports:

Sailing From Asia To The Med Can Be Trouble-Free

and

False Perceptions Of Piracy Against Yachts In Asia