Anti Piracy Recommendations

ISAF Repeats Anti Piracy Recommendations
Wednesday 19 May 2010

Military Authorities have issued further warnings of piracy attacks in the Gulf of Aden and the Northern Indian Ocean region. As a result the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) has re-issued advice on guidelines.



The danger of piracy extends through the Gulf of Aden, Yemeni and Somali waters including the NW Indian Ocean north of 15 degrees south and west of 78 degrees east. It is through this area of concern that the second leg of the 2011-12 Volvo Ocean Race from Cape Town, South Africa north to Abu Dhabi, UAE extends.

Within the ISAF piracy guidelines it states that the highest danger of piracy and consequent loss of life and property is in the GoA (Gulf of Aden), Yemeni and the Somali waters (up to 750 miles offshore). Acknowledging the dangers, Volvo Ocean Race organizers have already stated this leg will have an exclusion zone to skirt the area of highest danger.

However, what is not known now is where that zone will be, as each year these crimes occur further and further offshore. Hopefully there will be some safe water left by December 2011 when the fleet will be racing on this leg.