Fear of Pirates: Ship carrying $100m worth of racing yachts will have armed guards
source: http://rencadesign.com/wp/2011/12/fear-pirates-ship-carrying-100m/
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Dubai: The rash of Somali pirate attacks on ships as far out as the middle of the Indian Ocean has forced organisers of the 39,000km global Volvo Ocean Race to take unprecedented steps to protect competing yachts from attack on the open seas.
Volvo Ocean Race - 2009, Leg 9
The original plan called for six racing yachts worth an estimated $100 million (Dh367 million) to race unfettered from Cape Town to Abu Dhabi as part of the second leg of the Volvo Ocean Race from Alicante, Spain to Galway, Ireland.
However, after the six contenders left Cape Town port, they plotted a track for an undisclosed “safe haven port” somewhere in the Indian Ocean where the vessels will be transferred into an armed heavy lift ship and transported under armed guard to waters off Sharjah.
When lowered into Gulf waters later on, they will be less than a day’s sail from Abu Dhabi, the finish line for the second leg. It is the first time Abu Dhabi will host the race.
“This solution means we still have the exciting race finish into Abu Dhabi as always planned, while steering clear of the most dangerous waters off the Eastern African corridor,” said Knut Frostad, CEO of the race.
Volvo Ocean Race - ABN AMRO ONE
In a statement, Volvo Ocean Race said: “Once unloaded, race management will decide where exactly to re-start the race for a short competitive sprint into Abu Dhabi, which is hosting the event from December 31 to January 14. The sailors will not be on board the ship.”
To account for the unprecedented break in sailing competition, there have been changes in the way competing skippers earn points, said organisers noting that 80 per cent of Leg 2 points will be accumulated up until the safe haven port. The remaining 20 per cent of points will be won in the sprint to Abu Dhabi from Sharjah.
Attacks as of August
178 total incidents
22 total hijackings
362 hostages
Seven crew members killed
18 vessels held by pirates
Source: International Maritime Bureau (IMB)
http://rencadesign.com/wp/2011/12/fear-pirates-ship-carrying-100m/
Volvo Ocean Race - 2009, Leg 9
The original plan called for six racing yachts worth an estimated $100 million (Dh367 million) to race unfettered from Cape Town to Abu Dhabi as part of the second leg of the Volvo Ocean Race from Alicante, Spain to Galway, Ireland.
However, after the six contenders left Cape Town port, they plotted a track for an undisclosed “safe haven port” somewhere in the Indian Ocean where the vessels will be transferred into an armed heavy lift ship and transported under armed guard to waters off Sharjah.
When lowered into Gulf waters later on, they will be less than a day’s sail from Abu Dhabi, the finish line for the second leg. It is the first time Abu Dhabi will host the race.
“This solution means we still have the exciting race finish into Abu Dhabi as always planned, while steering clear of the most dangerous waters off the Eastern African corridor,” said Knut Frostad, CEO of the race.
Volvo Ocean Race - ABN AMRO ONE
In a statement, Volvo Ocean Race said: “Once unloaded, race management will decide where exactly to re-start the race for a short competitive sprint into Abu Dhabi, which is hosting the event from December 31 to January 14. The sailors will not be on board the ship.”
To account for the unprecedented break in sailing competition, there have been changes in the way competing skippers earn points, said organisers noting that 80 per cent of Leg 2 points will be accumulated up until the safe haven port. The remaining 20 per cent of points will be won in the sprint to Abu Dhabi from Sharjah.
Attacks as of August
178 total incidents
22 total hijackings
362 hostages
Seven crew members killed
18 vessels held by pirates
Source: International Maritime Bureau (IMB)
http://rencadesign.com/wp/2011/12/fear-pirates-ship-carrying-100m/
