Publish Date: Saturday, October 31, 2009
The answer to your question is, “Yes”: Does the kidnapping by Somali pirates of the British couple sailing near The Seychelles make us reconsider cruising through the western Indian Ocean? Yes it does. We have followed the piracy situation in that part of the world for a long time, and this incident feels like the last straw to Kathryn and me.
When we began planning the voyage of Three@Sea several years ago the piracy situation off the coast of Somalia was not nearly as bad as it has become. There were certainly incidents, but they were much fewer than today, and they were confined to the coastal waters of Somalia. Also, pirates were primarily interested in fast boats (which they could use for more piracy) and cargo ships (the contents of which they could sell — er, ransom — back to the shippers). Tens of thousands of boats and ships transited the area every year without incident, and the stories of piracy in the media were there mostly because it was so unusual. The cruising community generally agreed that transiting the area was still quite safe, as long as the proper precautions were taken.
Those days are gone. The pirates are now operating hundreds of miles out into the ocean, with more sophisticated and more heavily armed boats. The number of piracy incidents involving private individuals cruising through the western Indian Ocean on their own boats has risen dramatically, and there don’t seem to be any precautions that can protect you. If you cruise through these waters today, you are deliberately putting yourself in harms way. We’re not willing to do that ourselves, and we’re certainly not going to do it with our 13-year-old daughter in tow. As a protective father I have been involuntarily imagining the nightmare scenario for the last few days, and it’s not pleasant. Unless the situation changes dramatically before we get there, we will not cruise through the western Indian Ocean on Three@Sea.
Kathryn and I do not live our life in fear. We believe in the goodness and possibility in the world, and we truly believe in the kindness of strangers. As our home page says, we began this voyage with the hope that there is more that bonds us as a world community than divides us, and we still passionately believe that. But these pirates have no honor or decency, and we must choose to avoid them versus engage them. Our alternatives to cruising through the western Indian Ocean are numerous, and we will be evaluating them to plan the modified voyage of Three@Sea.
In the mean time, we keep the Chandlers in our prayers, hoping for a positive conclusion to their ordeal. There are also more than a hundred other nameless souls (mostly from commercial ships) being held by the pirates of Somalia, and we pray for their safe release as well.
Hello David and family,
My family and I live and cruise on board of a ship as well (my daughters are aged 10 and 13) and we follow your adventure with great interest. I am very glad you brought this subject up (but I was sure that the subject of piracy was on your mind before that). Each time I looked at the planned trip path the next years I noticed many miles trough dangerous waters, and on several occasions I wanted to mail you about our worries. I did not because I thought it would be inappropriate; I am confident in you guys making the right decisions in every step of the voyage. But you can imagine I am relieved to read your blog on this subject. We wish you all the best !
The Siedenburg family on board of “Arlinde”.
Hello David; Well said and I want you, Kathryn and Ayla to know that we are continuing to pray for all of you. Blessings
Is it now also not safe to transit such waters in a large ‘Cruiser Flotilla” as I have heard of in the past….safety in numbers etc etc? Since I’m an avid reader of “Cruising World”, I have long been concerned about your trip through such waters, as we talked about when you were in Erie. Bought that “Millenium Devastator’ flashlight yet? I think you should just turn around and come visit US again instead of the Molucca Straights 😉
I am so glad you addressed this, also. I have been following your voyage since you visited our local Lake Erie waters. I have also been wrestling with the knowledge that you might be entering into those waters in the future….please know that you have even more been in my prayers of late, especially with the recent news of this British couple taken hostage. It is sad that your voyage, which is based on peace, hope and goodness could be changed by a bunch of thugs. Peace to you all.
I know that, above all else, the safety and security of your family is top priority. I’m very glad to hear that you have “revised” your cruising plans accordingly. It’s just not worth the risk. Like all those who are with you in spirit on your adventure and enjoy reading your Blogs, I have become accustomed to seeing your name in my Inbox and would certainly be concerned if too many days passed without hearing from your Family. Keep in touch and God Bless.
Hello Dave! It’s been a lot of fun for me to follow your journey and share it with my boys (10 & 5). Like everyone else has said, I’m so glad you’ll be steering clear of that area. You would like to think there would be no danger for you, but sadly that’s not reality in this day and age. We raise our boys with the same belief that you and Kathryn have…there’s so much good out there, but sometimes you just have to look a little harder for it. Unfortunately, there are areas and people that you just have to avoid. Our thoughts and prayers go with you as you continue on. Sorry we’ll be missing you at the 30th class reunion next year…looking forward to visitng with lots of old classmates!!
Laurie
Hi Dave. I am pleased that you are reconsidering the route. Although you know this is coming from a risk averse person, it is the logical and intelligent course of action. Tim
G’Day Dave,
Yeh, its ashame we cannot travel without the worry of piracy around some countrys. It makes me realise how lucky we are to live in australia and have such a safe and beautiful coastline, geez mate you’ll have to stay around here abit longer when you come down under.love watching your adventures and enjoy the blogs greatly,make sure you come to the port of Mooloolaba Queensland,
Cheers Pedr
Can you hear the giant collective sigh of relief from all of us who know and love you guys (and those who don’t know you too)? Although we always knew you would put the family safety first it is a relief to hear it.
Kathy
Of course, you know what I’m thinking……and you can just imagine the big smile on my face about this decision! 🙂 auntie m
Greetings from your van driver at Crdar Point – Hope all is going well, the point has finally closed, I was done 11/1. if you can’t travel in a flotilla as suggested, I would stay clear of Somalia!!!
Fair Winds
Tom in Sandusky Oh
Dave
In one of the episodes, in “The Godfather” movie, Vito Corleone, the godfather, says to his son Michael, that “Women and children can afford to be careless. But a man cannot”.
So I say to you Dave, aka Vito, you have hit the nail on the head, and are doin good.
Fair winds and following seas to you.
Dave,
Add my name to the list of those who are glad you will be changing course to stay out of pirates way. I too have been concerned since I have started to follow your adventures. I so enjoy reading your blogs and seeing Ayla’s videos. What an awesome adventure for your family.
Take Care
Diana