Piracy and attacks: Travelling safely - how to protect yourself and your yacht
Marc Bielefeld
· 19.05.2023
The vocabulary used in the descriptions alone would suggest that this is a gang of exuberant sailors sitting together and practising their sailor's yarns. Instead of the Danish South Sea or Kiel Fjord, there is talk of the Eastern Caribbean islands, wild sea areas such as West Africa, the Horn of Africa or distant blue water areas such as the Sulu Sea and the South China Sea. Then the Strait of Hormuz also comes into play, and there are reports of the Bab al-Mandab strait and the so-called International Recommended Transit Corridor. After that, things only get more adventurous: there is talk of smugglers, armed fishermen and attacks on pleasure boats. You feel like you're sitting in a cinema. It brings up what usually only the news or Hollywood occasionally make the subject of: pirates - sabre-rattling and bandits at sea!
But we're not sitting in some harbour pub late at night. On the contrary! It's sober and matter-of-fact when the officers from the Federal Maritime Police talk about the dangers of sailing around the world and share their experiences and advice. And they address sailors who want to go on a long voyage. It's all digital and ultra-modern: Welcome to the online seminar of the Piracy Prevention Centre (PPZ), held by the Maritime Security and Crime Prevention Division of the Federal Police Maritime Directorate. Topic of the circumnavigator workshop: How can skippers and crews arm themselves against attacks of all kinds while travelling?
Since an increasing number of ships were attacked by pirates in the Horn of Africa in 2010, the German Federal Maritime Police have also increasingly focussed on security beyond Germany's shores, worldwide. The experts rely on reports from those affected, among other things. They regularly conduct interviews, analyse statistics and forums such as the blue water websites of "Noonsite" or the statistics of the "Caribbean Safety and Security Net". The Federal Maritime Police is also in close contact with the merchant shipping industry, advises shipping companies in the event of hijackings and kidnappings and is internationally networked with colleagues from the maritime sector.
938 Robberies
on sailing and motor yachts were registered worldwide by the Federal Maritime Police between 2014 and 2022. Experts estimate the number of unreported cases to be ten times higher!
Firstly, First Chief Superintendent Stephan Aschmann speaks online: "Good morning, this is Neustadt." An estimated 200 German sailors are travelling around the world, he says, and every year there are more and more setting off. "Attacks on pleasure craft occur all over the world," continues Aschmann. "The most common are off the Eastern Caribbean islands and the coasts of Central and South America." The most dangerous sea areas in the world: the coasts of Somalia and Yemen, the Gulf of Guinea in West Africa and the southern corners of the Philippines in the Sulu and Celebes Seas.
From 2014 to 2022, the authorities counted 938 attacks on yachts worldwide - although the number of unreported cases is likely to be ten times higher. Maps and types of incidents are then displayed on the screen: Kidnappings off Sabah, ransom demands by the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group in South East Asia. This is followed by sea-crime characterisations of other shipping areas from North Africa to the Cape Verde Islands, Panama, Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela. What stands out in the last three areas is not the number of attacks, but above all the "robust approach". The bandits there often carry knives, machetes, pistols and rifles and also attack manned yachts. Nevertheless, weapons were only actually used against sailors in ten per cent of known incidents worldwide.
The incidents should not deter blue water sailors from their endeavours
Next, the officers talk about the "modus operandi", as they call it. This refers to the most important facts when it comes to yacht robberies. The crimes are mainly committed in the evening and at night, and 70 per cent of the yachts were at anchor at the time of the attack. The perpetrators usually approach with small dinghies or swimming from the beach. If looting occurs during the day, it must be assumed that the yacht has been spied on beforehand. Incidents in harbours usually take place in the immediate vicinity of the jetty, whereby it is often young people under the age of 16 who act with a "high potential for violence".
Isabella Albert and her colleague Jörg Flackus then take over the moderation. And they go straight to three specific cases that show the range of modern-day robberies on yachts. However, the officers immediately add a sentence to categorise the whole thing: "Sailing is beautiful!" In other words, such incidents should not spoil your trip and certainly not deter blue water sailors from their endeavours. All in all, the probability of encountering criminals is quite low. Those who are smart and prepared when it comes to prevention, who avoid the "high risk areas" and take a few smart precautions will generally make their way around the world without any worries.
205 criminal offences
in the maritime sector were counted in Southeast Asia in January 2023 alone. However, most of these relate to illegal fishing or incidents in connection with merchant shipping. There were only eight thefts and robberies
There is one basic tip to avoid being targeted by criminals in the first place. The federal police emphasise that this applies on land as well as at sea: "All robbers want maximum spoils with minimum effort and risk." In plain language: thieves and bandits of all kinds avoid certain circumstances like the devil avoids holy water - they hate being disturbed. They don't like attention, noise, witnesses or light. Sailors can take advantage of this by behaving in a "deterrent" manner.
It could look like this, for example: if several yachts are anchored in a bay, your own boat doesn't have to be the first one that can be reached from land. Or: during the day and in the evening, make a real racket, turn up the music and show your presence on board - preferably with the whole crew. At night, on the other hand, light on board often helps to deter potential thieves from turning away to a dark, quiet boat in the neighbourhood. It can also be useful to play dog barking from a tape every hour.
Railing under power - as additional defence
The officials list many other tricks to keep unwelcome visitors on board at bay. Motto: The intruders don't want any stress and look for a victim elsewhere who promises to cause less trouble. Light barriers, alarm systems, barred hatches, solid locks: anything that makes life more difficult for crooks is a deterrent.
There is even the technical possibility of energising the railing, just like on a cow pasture. Anyone who unexpectedly gets an electric shock when boarding at night may want to reconsider whether they really want to stick to their plans. It should also be clear: The dinghy belongs on deck at night, bathing platforms and ladders are folded up.
The German Federal Police have one more piece of basic advice for all circumnavigators. One that always applies if an incident does occur and a stranger suddenly appears on deck. Jörg Flackus: "You are always the second winner and the first loser!" In other words, defending yourself is almost never useful, but often leads to disaster. Very often, the attackers are not only under the influence of alcohol and drugs, but also under enormous stress at the moment of the attack. In case of doubt, this makes them lose all their inhibitions. "The thieves want their loot and to get away as quickly as possible. Anyone who resists usually doesn't stand a chance." The "rabbit's foot tactic" is also most likely to help someone who is attacked on the jetty in the harbour: run away - preferably to where there are lots of people.
Problematic sea areas
The next chapter in the piracy prevention seminar deals with problematic sea areas - especially the Suez Canal. The German Federal Police generally advises against travelling the sea route from the Horn of Africa to the Mediterranean. However, if there is no other option, yacht crews should form an association with others and contact the Maritime Security Centre Horn of Africa, MSCHOA for short. In addition, avoid coasts and harbours in Yemen, Somalia and Libya and sail around the island of Socotra in the Gulf of Aden to the east.
Furthermore, due to interstate conflicts, there are repeated reports of sea mines and military operations by the Yemeni navy in their coastal waters. Finally, it is advisable to book a pilot for the passage through the Suez Canal.
The Mediterranean off the Libyan coast is also a no-go. There is an unofficial restricted area off the coast of Cyrenaica. Gangs are up to mischief there and have already attacked the local navy. Anyone sailing through the Mediterranean and having to pass Libya should therefore always stay north of the 34th parallel.
10 per cent
of all recorded incidents are accompanied by actual armed violence on the part of the perpetrators against the crew members involved. However, the detectives strongly advise against arming yourself for this reason
Here and there, listening to the federal police takes your breath away. But the officers are always reassuring: you shouldn't drive yourself crazy, but rather be well prepared. This includes other technical prevention options and security modules, as the experts call them, to make the boat and crew as secure as possible and to make it more difficult for uninvited guests to gain access to the yacht. However, not all of these are suitable for conventional long-distance vessels. Some of them are aimed more at owners of superyachts. Radio alarm systems and satellite telephones are certainly still within the bounds, but a sophisticated Ship Security Alert System (SSAS), willow fencing devices for the railing or even fog machines that spray a dense haze like in a disco - only a few skippers are likely to be comfortable with such deterrents and methods.
The officials also regularly hear about unusual tricks that circumnavigators have used. One skipper, for example, covered his cockpit at night with an oiled coconut mat - studded with broken glass. As the perpetrators usually sneak on board barefoot, especially in the tropics, they promptly cut their feet open. Whether such actions ultimately only lead to more violence is a good question. Which also raises another option: should sailors end up arming themselves, firing flares or signal pistols in a targeted manner if necessary?
Flare guns or signal rockets as a substitute for weapons?
The answer from the Federal Police is clear: No, they generally advise against arming crew on pleasure craft. Firstly, you need a firearms licence and secondly, you have to register weapons at every port of entry. The procedure is complicated, and weapons are sometimes confiscated until further notice. Each country has its own rules in this regard. Above all, however, anyone who pulls out a weapon must also be prepared to fire it if the worst comes to the worst. You should think twice about this in advance. In reality, very few people who find themselves in an extreme situation are in a position to do so.
The use of flare guns or signal rockets as a substitute for weapons is also strongly discouraged. Not to mention the lack of accuracy on the water: If the attackers are cornered, they will only become more radical and may shoot much faster and more accurately.
Dangerous situations not only pose a threat to life and limb, but also to the soul. Psychological stress is therefore another topic of the workshop. And here, too, it is advisable to deal with possible dangerous situations in advance in order to avoid feeling helpless and at the mercy of others. This includes not only technical precautions, but also specific area information that should be obtained in advance. It is particularly important to exchange information with other sailors, ask other crews about special incidents and also seek contact with the locals, who are generally well-meaning.
Agreements are important: Who is the boss on board when danger is imminent? Who watches the approaching robbers, who takes over the radio to alert the authorities or other ships? But also: who will act as a language guide for the gangsters? In the best case scenario, you will survive a robbery physically and mentally unharmed. Nevertheless, you should report it. Photos, films and a record of what happened are then important - for the police, but also for the insurance company.
If you take precautions and plan your route carefully, the police officers concluded, you can set off on your journey without any worries. After all, what could be better than exploring the world on a sailing boat?
The dangers posed by criminals
The perpetrators are usually, but not always, interested in making loot. Sometimes they feel they have been caught red-handed. Or they want to extort a ransom. Three examples
Case 1: Threatening and harassing
Not every case involves the actual use of force. It is often enough for criminals to display aggressive behaviour and possibly threaten with weapons in order to force sailors to hand over valuables. This is what happened in Honduras. Early in the morning, strangers suddenly climb aboard a catamaran, even asking for a few cigarettes in a friendly manner at first. But then other small boats appear. It is unclear whether the action was coordinated. In any case, the situation is now becoming threatening. The men following behind are provocatively holding ropes and iron bars. The crew alerts a nearby freighter by radio, and the intruders do indeed flee. But they soon return and are now even more aggressive. They harass the woman, demanding alcohol and cocaine. Only after some time do they leave. It is not known whether they have taken anything, and if so, what. But at least the sailors escape with their lives - even if they are naturally terrified.
Case 2:Brutal robbery
Fortunately, it only happens rarely, but it does happen: sailors are attacked, robbed, injured and even killed by criminals. Like off the coast of Panama. A family's yacht is anchored there at night when bandits climb on board. They turn out to be extremely ruthless. They immediately shoot the man dead and injure his wife and a child with machetes. It is not known whether the sailors put up a fight or surrendered immediately. Nevertheless, it could hardly get any worse. No less bitter: in the end, the murderers only take the dinghy's outboard motor with them. The case shows how frighteningly little human life counts in some regions of the world.
Case 3: Unwanted witnesses
Sometimes sailors are not the original target of criminals. They are merely targeted because they disturb or unintentionally discover things or people who do not want to be discovered. Refugee smuggling gangs or drug smugglers, for example. And this can also happen in European territories. Such as off the southern Spanish coast in the Gulf of Cádiz. There, hooded men in a speedboat suddenly approach a sailing yacht. The crew watch the men with growing unease. Before they try to get on board, the sailors make an emergency call. Just in time, a coastguard helicopter appears in the sky. Thanks to its presence and probably also because of the high swell at the time of the attack, which really shook the men in the speedboat, they let go of the yacht. They are probably smugglers who were surprised by the sailors. This example shows that it can be enough to be in the wrong place at the wrong time to be confronted with violence.
Federal Police Sea: good advice for long-distance drivers
What many people don't realise: The Federal Maritime Police provide specific advice to amateur sailors who are going on a long voyage, free of charge, both before and during the voyage. How do I arm myself and my yacht against pirates and attacks? What should I do in the event of encounters with refugee boats? What is the current situation in specific areas? What local contact points are there? And what should I do if an attack has actually taken place? The officials answer these and many other questions and provide recommendations for individual route planning. Seminars on piracy prevention are also organised every year.
- Contact, dates and information by phone: 04561/4071-3333
- Internet: bundespolizei.de or bpol.lake
- E-mail: ppz@polizei.bund.de
