Security Tips for Cruising Sailors

By Eric Mold

This book is not a scare tactic; it is not my intention to frighten people. I simply want to ensure that cruising sailors are cognizant of and seriously consider that they expose themselves to various forms of nefarious activity. I assess the risk of exposure to be approximately the same as being involved in a severe weather event. We lessen the consequences of such by thinking about it, training to prevail over it and equipping our vessel with gear to help us to survive.
The same philosophy applies to the way we prepare to meet and hopefully prevail over any nefarious activity we may encounter. Start by thinking about it, if you’ve bought this book you’ve already started. Train for it by going over in your mind and with your shipmates the responses you’ll make and the measures you’ll take in every possible scenario you can imagine. Including practice with any weapons you carry for self defence.
Just as it is virtually impossible for a small boat to survive a maelstrom it is equally impossible to prevail over a dedicated piracy/terrorist confrontation.
Fortunately, maelstroms are rare and so are confrontations with dedicated pirates and terrorists. By reading this book you have started to protect yourself from a majority of confrontations you might encountert .

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Mar 1, 2016
• ISBN: 9781483564081

Book preview

Devices

PREFACE

Unlawful interference with ships and yachts, which includes piracy, hijacking, terrorism, sabotage, theft, drug trafficking, fugitives from justice, stowaways, etc., is a topic that editors of most yachting magazines shun. This is understandable because even the thought of unlawful interference is enough to dampen the enthusiasm of many of those contemplating the purchase of a new vessel or equipment, or planning an extended cruise. Any mention of piracy is not good for the sale of yachting magazines and the hundreds of products advertised in them.

The following is a synopsis of articles I have written over the years and submitted to the yachting press. None have been published previously.

My aim is not to frighten the reader but to make him or her cognizant of the matter so that reasonable precautions might be taken.

NEED FOR SECURITY

According to the last Wood’s International Yacht Register, almost 200 yachts of 80’ or greater length have been untraced for a period of five years or more. This number does not include hundreds of 30’ to 80’ cruising sailboats. A review of these statistics reveals that some of the vessels are quite old and have probably been decommissioned and broken up. Others were probably overcome by the elements or perhaps their owners are not interested in keeping their vessels reported in the register. Some, however, remain untraced because they have fallen victim to one form of nefarious activity or another.

The International Maritime Bureau’s Annual Piracy Report reveals that acts of unlawful interference with ships are on the rise and furthermore, incidents are becoming increasingly more audacious and violent. Incidents range from the theft of a few cans of paint to hijacking boats and murdering their crew. The hijacking and subsequent total disappearance of the 2,651 ton Suci, after her crew were forced overboard in one of the ship’s boats, is typical of several incidents in recent years.

Analysis of the IMO’s 2014 Annual Piracy Report reveals that there were 242 acts of piracy and armed robbery against ships reported in that year. Twenty-one ships were hijacked, 88 acts of violence were committed against crew, and 137 crew hostages taken. About 33% of these incidents occurred on the high seas, another third in territorial waters, and one third were incidents of robbery or theft