Yemeni Piracy Attacks - Claptrap or True?

demonboy

demonboy

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I'm hoping this is a case of misinformation but a source of ours has made reference to people being attacked off the Yemeni coast (close to the Bab Al Mandab Straights between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden)... by Yemenis. In recent years this is quite unprecedented since Yemen has been co-operating with the task forces in this region.

I find this story hard to believe and put it down to the usual Chinese Whispers that plagues the liveaboard network.

Can anyone confirm or deny such reports please? We're at anchor and don't have reliable connection to the interweb to research.
 
There is some truth in the stories, or rather there was, the piracy thing now seems to be concentrated on the Somalian side, but they range quite far. Seems also now they are more interested in larger prey (bigger ransoms). Although there have been some cases of fishermen, from both countries, turning pirate when the oppurtunity arises, or the fishing is bad.
For what its worth, you wouldnt catch me going through there, life is much too short as it is and I'm not the type to just let them steall all I have, this is my home and I'll fight for it, stupid I know, but that's the way it is.
 
Over the years there have been a number of recorded instances of pirate attacks off the Yemen, whether these were trespassing Somali or home-grown is arguable.

However I think you're being a bit disingenuous if you think a government paying lip-service and the citizens being law-abiding amount to the same thing.

I'd not take a bet on Yemeni never having engaged in piracy over the last 10 years.
 
All the recent attacks(last year or so) have been made by Somalis. However, sometines they have come from the territorial waters of Yemen as there is no effective coastguard and they know warships can't go there. They may also be in Yemeni style dhows which they capture and use as bases to live on and launch their skiffs to attack from.
Yachtsmen have been the subject of pirate attacks and the French recently recatured a small (35ft) yacht that had been taken. In doing so, 3 pitates were killed and so was the skipper of the yacht. The 3 other crew (and their 3 year old son) were rescued.
At the minute, the Gulf of Aden and Somali Basin are not the place to go in a yacht.
 
Thanks, Peter. We're in touch with Lo as we are subscribed to the rally. In fact acquaintances of ours saw him only last week for a chat about the rally as he is back in Turkey with the current flotilla.

All I was looking for was a link to a news source of a recent attack citing Yemenis as the culprits. So far this has not been provided and is therefore, as I suspected, hear-say. Hermit's explanation is probably the closest explanation.

Thanks for the replies.
 
I lived and worked in Yemen for almost 3 years and left there in January this year. Almost all Yemenis outside the capital are armed (many inside are as well) it is a country of 23 million with a reported 60 million guns, a grenade is $5 to buy in the market and an AK47 between $50 and $100. So even fishermen will be armed. However, although i had a gun pointed at me quite a few times there was never any intention to harm only to have a donation of a landcrusier or some money.

The problem really stems from Somalia, there is a hugh trade in people trafficing from Somalia to Yemen and the trafficers are mainly pirates so attacks can occur very close to Yemen by the somalis if you are in the wrong place at the wrong time when they are on a trafficing run.

This is the latest report from the Yemen Obsever dated 22 May 2009:

"Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden approached the M/V MAERSK VIRGINIA, U.S. flag container ship owned and operated by the US Maersk Line, Limited company, while en route to Salalah, Oman, Maersk Line, Limited reported Friday.

“The ship was not fired upon, and the nineteen (19) crewmembers, all U.S. citizens, are safe. The MAERSK VIRGINIA was traveling in the defined security corridor when the incident took place between 1000 and 1100 local time, about 70 miles south of Yemen” said a statement issued by Maersk.

Earlier Friday the same pirates unsuccessfully attacked another ship, and this ship’s crew notified the MAERSK VIRGINIA that the pirates were headed in its direction. The VIRGINIA increased speed to more than 21 knots, began evasive maneuvers, mustered according to the vessels security plan and contacted authorities. Naval warships already operating in the area responded to the situation and deployed helicopters to counter the craft. The craft closed to approximately 0.75 nautical miles of the VIRGINIA before turning away.

The company’s statement added that Maersk Line, Limited continues to evolve security measures aboard its ships transiting the Gulf of Aden and western Indian Ocean.

The problem is the unpredictability of the somali's, i found the Yemeni's to be friendly with a great respect for human life whereas the somali pirates do not appear to have any such basic morals.

I have searched all the Yemen news sites i used when in yemen but have found no references to attacks by yemeni pirates, they all appear to be by somali. This does not mean that none have occurred but the english language press in yemen normally prints such stories.

Cheers

Tony
 
There seems to be plenty of reports recorded about pirate attacks in Yemen waters, whether they are Somalis, al Qaeda or Yemenis or a coop of all. God only knows, but I would not class the Red Sea as a safe place to go without some reasonable risk being involved.
I would think piracy will become more prevalent from places that have been clear of them over the years. Economic turn down making the poorer countries people poorer. Even burglaries and robberies are up in the UK since the recession kicked in.
From the bits I have read I would have to say there's no smoke without fire so imo claptrap no, true a strong chance.
The seas and oceans are vast watery places so you could sail the area and be oblivious to the situation out there if it was not for the media.

I suppose it's a bit like the ICC issue, you'll never know till it happens to you ! (apologies for the cheap shot.......................And I sincerely hope it's the only shot you'll encounter)

Go forth and sail safely Jamie.

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No problem Jamie, i enjoyed my 3 years in yemen and found the people very friendly. The country has its problems, even today there was some internal fighting on the aniversary of the unity of north and south. There are extremists, it is the spiritual home of al quaeda. I have been very close to at least 2 attacks one in marib when 8 spanish tourists were killed and then in sana'a when the US embassy was attcked. If you read the foriegn office website you would never visit.

However, from experience i would have no hesitation on returning tomorow, the people are firendly and the country beautiful. I am now based in abu dhabi which is very nice but lacks the culture of yemen. If you visit then a trip to sana'a and then to marib to the queen of sheba temple and dam is a must - use a tour agent as you need permission to travel across check points on the roads. The best way would be a flight from Aden to Sana'a (very cheap with yemenia) and then trip arranged by hotel to Marib (about 4 hours by road). If you need any details or contacts just let me know.

Cheers,

Tony
 
Yes, we've heard lots about Sana and everyone we know who has been to Yemen speaks very highly of it. I look forward to getting down there to visit and absorb some culture!

Thanks Tony.
 
See you on the rally Demonboy, we're signed up as well. Taking the kids for an 'educational trip'!

Like you I've been keeping an eye on whats going on down there, I think the Yeman thing is Somali pirates moving wider afield into less protected waters. From what I can work out we're under the direct protection of the Yerman CG when in thier waters.

Theres some some good reading from Lynnrival ( http://blog.mailasail.com/lynnrival ), thier account seems typical for yachts going through north or south.
 
Likewise. Probably be in Alanya in July. FWIW, my interpretation of the piracy issue is that ISAF and the other navy forces: 1. Want yachts to keep out of the area so they can concentrate on "important" vessels using their newly set up traffic separation scheme and, 2. Cannot operate in Yemeni territorial waters - hence Lo's advice to sail within 10 miles of the Yemeni coast for maximum protection by Yemeni Coastguard.
 
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