Piracy and its humorous outcome

Created by doina. Last modified on 2008-05-11 15:23:33
Topic: Piracy Reports 2006
Countries: Italy

I (the Captain) and crew, were at anchor in the Bay of Cerracavallo, the Port being too small for us to enter, as we had no guests and weather was still we were on a relaxed watch system. At around 0430 a app. 6m fishing boat came alongside and though they tried to be quiet woke one of the crew sleeping on deck as they cut the painter to the tender. By the time the alarm was raised they were putt putting towards the harbour at about 6 knots leaving us in the frustrating dillemma of not being able to follow. To cut a long story short (and it did get quite drawn out, I was able to raise the police but unfortunately they needed around 40 minutes to reach the port. Fortunately (for us) the would be boat-nappers tried to get the tender onto a trailer behind their Fiat Panda, we know it was a Fiat because when the police arrived they were still trying to get it out of the mud on the launching ramp where they had succeeded only in getting it bogged down.... police were great, friendly and had miami vice style. Thanks Guys.

Chris H

Yacht 30m Sailing Maxi, Location Cerracavallo, Sicilia August 2006