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The Pirate Den: Malacca Straits, Kopi Indah, Harmoni Hotel & Batam Q&A
#2 Guest_Lee_*
Posted 07 October 2010 - 01:13 PM
Nice summary of the situation for that part of the world. For some obviously personal reasons, have the pirates in that part of the world tried their hand at ransoming private yachts and crews? I didn't find many attempts from cruiser information out there other than what look like basic muggings little different than a street robbery.
Also related to piracy and smaller boats, convoys have been formed during the last season to cross the Aden area with great success. The military forces there have begun to work with these convoys. I am curious if you think the threat of organized piracy has faded for the small yacht?
Also related to piracy and smaller boats, convoys have been formed during the last season to cross the Aden area with great success. The military forces there have begun to work with these convoys. I am curious if you think the threat of organized piracy has faded for the small yacht?
#3 Guest_Pikey_*
Posted 08 October 2010 - 05:08 AM
Lee, on 07 October 2010 - 01:13 PM, said:
Nice summary of the situation for that part of the world. For some obviously personal reasons, have the pirates in that part of the world tried their hand at ransoming private yachts and crews? I didn't find many attempts from cruiser information out there other than what look like basic muggings little different than a street robbery.
Also related to piracy and smaller boats, convoys have been formed during the last season to cross the Aden area with great success. The military forces there have begun to work with these convoys. I am curious if you think the threat of organized piracy has faded for the small yacht?
Also related to piracy and smaller boats, convoys have been formed during the last season to cross the Aden area with great success. The military forces there have begun to work with these convoys. I am curious if you think the threat of organized piracy has faded for the small yacht?
While there, I spoke with some cruisers at a beautiful (FREE!!!*!*!*) marina in JB, who told me that some of their friends were robbed in the Indonesian region not far away, but these areas are well known to the cruisers in the area, and keeping one's ear to the nets will inform you with what you need to know with the most up-to-date information. In terms, of ransoming private yachts, nothing like the recent occurrences off of Somalia. Interestingly, the pirates of the Malacca Straits refer to the pirates of Somalia as "reckless cowboys." They pride themselves on their history and piratical savvy. Any attacks on yachties will be opportunistic at best, and you will not be dealing with "professionals." That's the good part, the bad part is they will be nervous and skittery (and not as committed to keeping the violence low profile). So it will be important to either make a big show of force before they board (flare guns and everything), or to be meek like kittens and let them take what they want. Offer them all of your cigarettes, if they didn't find them to begin with (a little psychology in there; offering cigarettes is a common and strong gesture of friendship to many Indonesians). Either way you will want to vacate the area promptly afterwards (retaliation for the big show, or the easy target for round two). Even the big boys who take the ships are usually only armed with machetes and small knives. Do not make the mistake of thinking that these machetes are less dangerous than the Somali tool of choice (AK-47). They are extremely proficient with these. To go through the dangerous areas, small caravans of yachties do team up, but that is usually ad hoc. Most beneficial is to be in contact with your community and "pack" it through the area. If you don't need to go to Indo, hug Singapore's coast, and second Malaysia's.
~Pikey
#4 Guest_sarah s_*
Posted 08 October 2010 - 08:56 PM
I am wondering, as I have thought much about the threat of pirating often in my dreams of navigating, about piracy and its danger toward female sailors? Is piracy specific toward monetary and material gain--or is there a tendency toward general lawlessness and violence? Is there any moral code amongst the pirates? And what happens if you retaliate before being overtaken?
Sarah
Sarah
#5 Guest_Pikey_*
Posted 11 October 2010 - 03:15 AM
sarah s, on 08 October 2010 - 08:56 PM, said:
I am wondering, as I have thought much about the threat of pirating often in my dreams of navigating, about piracy and its danger toward female sailors? Is piracy specific toward monetary and material gain--or is there a tendency toward general lawlessness and violence? Is there any moral code amongst the pirates? And what happens if you retaliate before being overtaken?
Sarah
Sarah
Ahoy Sarah,
Chances are slim that they would know you are female before boarding. I hate to stereotype, but these are Muslim countries where the status of women (outside of the larger metropols) is fairly low. For instance, in Malaysia, a man can divorce his wife (I am told by a collective of sources–never researched it myself) with 3 SMS text messages, while the woman must appear in the Sharia court 3 times before her divorce will be validated. You won't likely find your gender to be advantageous. There is a moderate amount of human trafficking, but this school of piracy is geared more toward monetary and material gain–which is not to say "safer." The general lawlessness and violence is more common in the Souther Philippines and eastern seaboard of Sabah in Northern Borneo. But before this looks like I'm doomsdaying, your chances of an encounter are remote, so long as you keep your head about you and don't poke your bow into gunkholes that are already known for problems. The vast majority of the people in these areas are honest and extremely helpful, well informed about the comings and goings, and can provide you the appropriate heads up. Moral code amongst pirates? Hum... yes, sort of. But not in ways one might think, and subject to a lot of nuance and details that open up to a world of "what-if's". That's a really big topic and not enough time or space to devote to it here. Hope this helps..
~Pikey
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