A free piracy news service was launched today, giving mariners, sailors, journalists and the general public up-to-the-minute news and alerts on piracy in the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The news, sourced from around the world, is consolidated and then delivered via email, RSS, Twitter, and SMS. Data is delivered hourly, daily or weekly. The URL is http://www.followtheboat.com/piracy/

Followtheboat Piracy Update is constantly refreshed with news and attack information as soon as it is released, presented in an easy-to-read format (consideration is given to sailors with low-bandwidth email connection). It offers links to email subscription and RSS update services. Followtheboat Piracy Updates are available through Twitter and, in some countries, via SMS messages. The page also sources important video clips and has a live piracy map with the very latest attack information.

The state of the piracy situation is now affecting the global economy and the situation is changing daily. It is important that those affected stay posted of events as soon as they happen. Many sailors are still crossing dangerous waters without the latest information at their fingertips. This service aims to fill that gap by providing filtered news searches sourced from news agencies around the world. These include the BBC, The Guardian, Wall Street Journal, The Hindu, Reuters and various African and Middle Eastern publications.

News, updates, and links are also provided by marine organizations like the MSCHOA, the ICC and the European Union Naval Force Somalia. The page offers a feedback facility to discuss improvements to the service. It is all free to use but donations are appreciated.

Followtheboat.com is one of the oldest and largest personal sailing blogs, run by Jamie Furlong, an ex-internet developer and LRPS of the Royal Photographic Society, and Liz Cleere, an award-winning writer. The website contains fantastic photography and well-observed travel stories, including their recent passage through “Pirate Alley” in between the release of the Chandlers and the sad demise of s/y Quest. Their story is currently being serialized in Sailing Today and Oyster News magazines. Their website hosts over 50 weekly podcasts of their journey from Turkey to India via the Gulf of Aden. With time on his hands whilst seeing out the monsoon in India, Jamie has put together this very comprehensive piracy update page. It is a must-see and must-subscribe for anyone interested in piracy.

CONTACT: Jamie Furlong

COMPANY: followtheboat.com

EMAIL:[email protected]

PHONE: +91 999 57 33419

WEB: www.followtheboat.com/piracy/

TWITTER: http://twitter.com/piracy_update