Atlantic Rally for Cruisers Immigrant Rescue Discussion Document

[Paulka]

Quote :
"I've got to make it clear, you may not get the opportunity to exit. "
Unquote.

You'r right, that's why I wrote :" ... if I can."
So what if I cannot?
Unfortunately, there is nothing one can do, save hope or get "desperate". :-(

Quote :
And :"...what has that individual had to do in Africa to raise that kind of money, what is the underlying crime ..."
Unquote.

Yes ... as you stated in your original post, you never know what the people on the boat you just notice are up to. For the safety of the boat, the crew and oneself, one has to assume the worst case : piracy.

And even if it's not caracterised piracy, the agressions on "If Only" are proof that one will most certainly be agressed.

I sail mostly alone, or with one crew, and aboard a small sailing vessel, and ... no I don't have any solution right now.
I was agressed long time ago near the algerian coast, while alone on board, and just was lucky enough that the agressing boat was not up to his intentions, and the wind gave me a precious push.

Yes, I was desperate, but no, didn't turn criminal, just trailed 20 meters of floating rope as a possible gift to his prop.

Interesting discussion. Hope it will lead to some practical ideas.

Paul

 

[caribbeancat]

This link

http://www.icc-ccs.org/prc/piracyreport.php

provides some interesting information about Piracy in these waters. Indeed it does exist. Whilst much of the piracy at this stage appears to be limited to more inshore waters, is it a paritcularly big step for this to move to offshore waters?

This link

http://www.icc-ccs.org/prc/piracy_maps_2006.php

also indicates that Piracy does take place. In general I assume that these things are escalating.

 

[caribbeancat]

Paul it is very interesting to see that you are one of the first to come forward with a story of your own about a similar event. How long ago was this event?

 

[Paulka]

I just grabbed my logbooks. Here what I found :

September 28 1984
23:00 Leaving Sidi Ferruch easterly 2-3 course N
September 29 1984
00:00 slow progress easterly 2 - 3 course N
01.00 slow progress easterly 2 course N
01:45 fishing boat approches and ask me to stop. I refuse, and start the engine
Approx. 02:00 fishing boat approches several times from behind, one of the crew intenting to board Patootie. I keep them dazzled with powerfull searchlight. Both boat at approx. same speed. I prepare a floating rope for his prop, just in case. Nav lights off.
Approx. 02:15 westerly wind comes up, giving me some more speed. He struggles to follow.
Approx 02:20 westerly up to 4, then 5. He is far back, probably abandons the race.
02:30 good progress, stop engine. No more engine noise behind.
03:00 Nav lights on to cross the "highway". Course N to Mallorca.

The boat was an open fishing boat, approx. 7 - 8 meters with 2 persons on board.
During the whole pursuit, one of them was at the helm positionning his bow just on the corner of my stern, the other guy standing on the bow, and trying to board Patootie. I discouraged him hitting his fingers with a winch handle, damaging my pulpit when missing the fingers - too bad!
I kept my second hand busy directing the searchlight at his face!

It just was another exciting experience!

I must emphasize that this incident has no relation with immigration. I don't really know what they were up to. Probably just petty crime.

Difficult to know.

PM me for more details, but ... I'm afraid there will be very few .... Alzheimer?

Paul

 

[Troutbridge]

I think we're in danger of straying off the point here. Most piracy is aimed at merchant shipping, wherever in the world it occurs. It is a very emotive subject, particularly amongst blue water sailors and frankly a lot of rubbish is spoken about it. Please note, I am not implying that anything said on this thread thus far is rubbish, let me be very clear about that. The first hand account of the incident involving two men in a small boat obviously occurred, was very distressing and I am extremely glad that our fellow contributor was able to effect an escape. Such incidents, however, are very much in the minority when looking at reports of pirate attacks.
I think we've all taken on board the fact that some immigrant-boats may be capable of high speed and it may not be possible to outrun them. Having followed the link to the report of the proposed court case, I now understand why the Canarian Authorities may be reluctant to intervene. I feel that encountering such a boat more than, say, 4/500 nm west of the Canaries might not present as great a threat as encountering one closer in as the likliehood is that the physical condition of the occupants would have deteriorated. I stress, MIGHT NOT, I wouldn't take it as guaranteed. I have had some feedback from one crewmember who agreed with a statement that I made to the effect that the safety of my boat and my crew were paramount.
Assuming that one is able to prevent a boarding of one's own boat, what response can be expected from the authorities if a 'mayday relay' is broadcast? That is what needs clarification.
If a 'mayday relay' is broadcast, but the yacht feels it is unsafe to remain in the area, how would that be viewed by the authorities?
How will the authorities react if a forcible boarding results in a mayday call? That also needs clarification. Would they offer any timely assistance/are they able to offer any timely assistance?
With regard to routing (due west or ssw) I personally think there's not much in it. Logic would indicate that a boat without power would drift SSW, but of course their actual position would depend on where they're starting from. Aerial surveillance might give an indication of where the highest concentration of such boats is likely to be, but has any such surveillance been undertaken? There would be legal/moral implications if it were undertaken and no subsequent action taken if drifting boats were spotted. I feel sure the Canarian authorities are more concerned with apprehending illegal 'landers' than they are rescuing those who have 'drifted out of their jurisdiction'. All of which is fine, but leaves us no clearer in what guide lines to Blue Water Cruisers should be. We need to know the official view on the entire situation.

 

[caribbeancat]

Troutbridge - Your contribution here is great. I am not certain but I sense that there isn't an official view out there, this is a new emerging situation and an 'official view' needs to be developed.

One of the key things coming out of the conversations at The Ship last night was the definate need for awareness building I appreciate any support that people on this forum can offer in this respect. The potential horrors of this situation for the smaller lighter crewed boat (and even larger... If Only was over 70ft in length) combined with a reasonable possibility of such an encounter in these waters is deeply worrying and as yachts folk, we need a strategy in this area.

I have contacted Dan Foley with a view to identifying where IPC feel this should go in the context of their own publications and it now seems that the debate needs a 'public' airing for all our benefit.

I have also now identified a number of organisations that I think I should be talking to and the opinions given by people across these posts must lend credibility in presenting these arguments to these organisations.

Keeping the wagon rolling on this is going to be key. As I have said previously, I want to withdraw from discussions on this forum in respect of the organisations involved in my specific incident. I'll provide progress updates to this forum and will keep very close to the debate. I welcome those who keep the debate alive, this is very important when engaging the official organisations and the opinions of some of the contributors on this forum help articulate the debate very effectively.

 

[Paulka]

You are right, from the point of view of the sailing people, piracy is not the point, except, perhaps on the Red Sea.

I don't qualify my incident as a case of piracy, rather as a case of being at the wrong place at the wrong time. It could have happened in down town Paris or London, Milano or Barcelona.

But, considering the quantity of boats loaded with would be immigrants (let me name them "pateras" as they are named in Spain), infesting the whole coast of Africa from Sierra Leone to Egypt, the probability of an encounter is pretty high, and growing.

Even so, not all encounters are problematic : a patera in relatively good shape, engine O.K., plenty of fuel and food, knowing where they are, and how further, will probably be benign.
This will probably always be the case in the Med, where the distances are pretty short, and the navigation easy, even for immigrants comming from landlocked african countries.

The Atlantic is quite another can of worms, the further offshore, the more so.
I would be extremely suspicious toward a patera met 200 miles or more from any land.
They are most probably lost, or without engine, or both.

What then?

I will ignore them ... if I can, and if they agress me (case of "If Only") will fight as hard as I can.

Any better idea out there?

Paul

 

[Major Catastrophe]

This and the the actual report has been a very interesting read and I thank you for taking the time to post.

A difficult balancing act to to have regard to your own safety but at the same time assist in the rescue of these poor souls.