Piracy Map

[cat man do]

I just stumbled across this map that looks interesting

Somali_Pirate_Coast.kmz - Google Maps

[MarkJ]

That is an interesting map!
Unfortunately it hasn't been updated since 2008 and the additional piracy areas added. But theres still interesting information: For example Al Mukalla in Yemen which this map says:

Al Mukallah, Yemen. Possible port for "Somali pirate" mothership re-supply. Closest port to the Gulf of Aden Pirate Zone. Most convenient place from which to launch attacks on the major shipping lane joining Asia and Southern Africa with Europe. Fast open boats attached to the motherships can dock here and easily blend in with the local fishermen. After re-supply, the mothership then moves out into the shipping lanes where the speedboats attack vessels, either for armed theft or to hold them for ransom. When ships are seized for ransom, the pirates usually take the vessel to the coast of Somalia near the pirate home ports of Eyl or Hobyo, where they are re-supplied with food and more pirates until the ransom money arrives in Somalia. Direct attacks on yachts by groups of fast open boats originating from this port are common.

However our cruisers think its safe as houses! Here's part of a post from June this year on this forum! (But he doesnt say when he went through

A couple of boats went from Uligan, Maldives straight to Al Mukalla, Yemen for clearance and had no problems. We cleared into Yemen at Al Mukalla,(after Salalah) about $US25. The agent Mahe is a very nice young man. He also gets deisel cheaper than Oman when we were there 56cUS, Oman was 90cUS through Mohammed. Although if careful at Salalah can get some at local prices if you are hiring a car.
We would not be happy going through the IRTC as it gets you closer to the pirates who are after the big ships and may see a small yacht as a nice diverson. Yemen coast guard is quite good but we had no use for them so cannot say for sure.

So it shows that people will belive 2 totally different things and they won't budge. Some will say that 'proves' yachts are not targets of pirates. Some -like me- avoid Al Makallah like the plague!

maybe the pirates dont piss in their own nest. But that doesnt mean they don't follow you out of port!



Great find. Was there a website attached to it?

[GordMay]

This map shows all the piracy and armed robbery incidents reported to the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) Piracy Reporting Centre during 2010.
➥ Live Piracy Map

[maxingout]

Interesting maps.

Let me see. The authorities know where the pirates are located. They know the ports. They know the airstrips. They know the anchorages and towns. The know the method of operations.

The only thing lacking is the will to do anything to solve the problem.

It must not be that important of a problem, or they would do something to solve it.

Too bad the Somalis don't have oil. If they had oil, the world would invade and solve the problem in 3 nanoseconds.

[MarkJ]

Dave, I think Somalia has oil. Quite a lot of it. But I don't think the area is stable enough for any real venture.

Thats probably the shame about a number of countires that are so unstable: they could be quite rich indeed if things were different.

[cat man do]

Just found this article with an almost never ending list

Somalia Piracy Report by Ecoterra November 6

I would like to see a list and map of yachties that have had "REAL" issues without the "We were approached by a fisherman and we shat our pants and cried pirate" stories.

[cat man do]

And this Anti Piracy Maritime Security Services

[NotQuiteLost]

Originally Posted by cat man do

And this Anti Piracy Maritime Security Services

Now that has got to be the most blatant protection scheme imaginable.

Brilliant, absolutely brilliant. Probably this whole thing was cooked up by a Russian ex-commando with too many retired gunslingers on his hands. All of the piracy we've seen thus far is just advertising our 'need' for their 'protection' services

Tony Soprano would be proud.

[Tom and Maje]

Originally Posted by maxingout

Interesting maps.

Let me see. The authorities know where the pirates are located. They know the ports. They know the airstrips. They know the anchorages and towns. The know the method of operations.
The only thing lacking is the will to do anything to solve the problem.
It must not be that important of a problem, or they would do something to solve it.

I think it is kind of like State Department warnings; they expect to stay away from the area.

Maje

[Sam Plan B]

Originally Posted by maxingout

Let me see. The authorities know where the pirates are located. They know the ports. They know the airstrips. They know the anchorages and towns. The know the method of operations. The only thing lacking is the will to do anything to solve the problem.

What you see is what you get. I would not assume that governmental entities, having the information needed, actually have the mental agility to form an anti-piracy action plan. Appearances are deceiving. With the government, most of the time the lights are on but no body's home.

[David M]

Can a Google map upload to an F/A 18's targeting system?