Next message: Philip Ouvry: "Re: [world-cruising] Sailing in SE Asia"
Hello,
I am new to this list, and I must say it seems like a fantastic group with a lot of great information to share. I have searched the archives and found a lot of information I was looking for, but have some other questions.
First off, I am new to sailing. I will be crew aboard a boat leaving from the Philippines, and headed to Thailand. Most times when I tell people about this trip I am taking, they make some comment about pirates in the area. Past experience with overland travel has made me learn that people tend to blow things out of proportion, but I still have my concerns.
There were a lot of good links posted last month when the piracy thread happened - thanks. But I was hoping to ask for comments from people who had been to the area, or knew someone who had a run in.
1) I read an article from the 80's where a ketch had been discovered in the Philippines robbed with the crew all shot to death. In this same article, a man told about a time when he defended his own ship with guns because of the tendency of pirates to kill everyone aboard. In a more recent article off one of the links sent here last month, the best method suggested was to let the pirates take the valuables and leave, as they generally dont kill those aboard. So which is the more likely scenario, and which method of dealing with a situation is best? I know this decision will belong to my skipper, but what are the plans that others have, and what have been reports of recent? Outright killings, or pirates that are satisfied with valuables?
2) It seems that the 2 danger areas listed for the Philippines are the Sulu seas and the area between here and Malaysia. Also the island of Mindinao is highly populated with Muslims strong in the Abu Sayyaf terror group. So, if someone was to chart a course from North Philippines to Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand, what would you suggest? Are there areas of safe passage?
3) I have checked the piracy reports, and seen that acutal incidents are very few. However, I also read that yacht insurance doesnt cover acts of piracy, so most acts dont get reported as pirate attacks. Is that true?
I'm sorry for re-hashing a topic that seems to come up with some freqency on this list, but I just have an uneasy feeling, and would like to get some more information to feel a little better about it. If someone would rather email me off-line, you may do so at
Thanks!
-Rick
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