Where Have We Sailed in the Last 17 Years?
We’ve just completed 17 years of cruising and travelling the world aboard our sailboat. It’s been an adventure full of surprises!
Where Have We Sailed in the Last 17 Years? Read Post »
pirates
Night watch in the pirate zone
We sailed 50 miles towards the pirate zone and straight back to night watches. This meant that after several days of freedom in the jungle, Esper had the ‘graveyard shift’ from 01:00 till dawn.
Night watch in the pirate zone Read Post »
Running aground, sailing defensively, catching big fish!
Liz catches her biggest fish. And we find a stunning anchorage. But it is narrow. And there’s a shifting sand bar beneath murky waters right in the middle…
Running aground, sailing defensively, catching big fish! Read Post »
What’s it like to sail with an armed escort?
It became apparent that we were very much part of the team and expected to keep to the protocols set by ESSCOM. As mariners it was our job to maximise safety at all times and keep them up to speed on what was happening. We share those protocols with you here.
What’s it like to sail with an armed escort? Read Post »
Sitting ducks in the pirate zone
Imagine how you would feel if you had to make an emergency stop in high risk seas and became sitting ducks on your sailboat. That’s what happened to us and it was a tense moment for all the boats.
Sitting ducks in the pirate zone Read Post »
Do we need a faster boat?
Esper takes the first security night watch and Liz explains a little bit about what we’re expected to look out for.
Do we need a faster boat? Read Post »
Why are we sailing through pirate waters (again)?
The problem is that the waters of eastern Sabah are some of the most notorious in the world for kidnappings and piracy. So the only chance we’ll ever get to see this part of the world is to…
Why are we sailing through pirate waters (again)? Read Post »
Would you head straight towards a pirate attack?
If you knew there had been a recent piracy attack where you were heading, would you keep your intended course and still set your sailboat towards that destination? What would you do? How would you react?
Would you head straight towards a pirate attack? Read Post »
This is Sumatra, but are those pirates or fishermen?
We’re in Sumatran waters now and piracy continues to plague seafarers, so what does it mean when a fishing boat follows and circles you for some miles in open water?
This is Sumatra, but are those pirates or fishermen? Read Post »
Danish Released, Chandlers Talk & Piracy Poll
Only four days in and already the week has been a busy one on the piracy front. We have three important news items for your perusal: the release of the Danish sailors from Somalia, the Chandlers talking on BBC and the Piracy Update Facebook page and poll.
Danish Released, Chandlers Talk & Piracy Poll Read Post »
WHAT??? Piracy Is Costing $12 Billion!
As if you non-seafaring people out there needed convincing, the latest figures via The Times has piracy costing the global economy $12 billion a year. In the same week that Dutch marines kill two Somalia pirates, a London law firm which specialises in the field, was quoted as saying “matters are deteriorating at every level”.
Whilst our sailing friends are well aware of the dangers of piracy, it’s not until one reads the numbers that the problem of piracy is put into perspective for the rest of us. It is truly a global concern that affects everyone. In a future post we’ll be putting together a couple of ideas on how you can help support anti-piracy causes. Meanwhile, read about the latest figures here. We’d like to hear your views on the subject too.
WHAT??? Piracy Is Costing $12 Billion! Read Post »
Indian Navy Demonstrates How To ‘Do’ Pirates Properly!
This morning the marina manager brought us the fantastic news that the Indian navy has caught yet another boat load of pirates! It was a huge catch with 61 seized in all. Yep, 61 of the b******s. Good.
The Hindu has a good report on the capture, which we precis in our blog post. What’s most encouraging, however, is the photograph that has been issued along with the report. It’s a photo of all 61 pirates sitting like lame ducks on board the navy vessel.
Whilst I do not condone the death penalty I do hope these pirates are proverbially strung up alive by the Indian justice system. Good riddance to them.
Indian Navy Demonstrates How To ‘Do’ Pirates Properly! Read Post »
The Kuzey Kibris Rally
The first night of the rally was pirate-themed, hence the eye-shadow. Somewhere in my tiny brain I thought perhaps I bore a vague resemblance to Johnny Depp in ‘Pirates…’, but then I do have to keep reminding myself that he’s not a fat ****, so I just ended up looking like a gay English lout.
The Kuzey Kibris Rally Read Post »