News Release from SY Aspen regarding pirates

We met Steve and Maria from SY Aspen in the Caribbean. We left on our “intended” circumnavigation a couple of years before them. They caught up with us here in Thailand, but our busy schedules stopped us from getting together. We did email each other, and we told them that we were pleasantly “stalled” here in Thailand and we wished them a safe and successful circumnavigation.

After hearing the news of recent pirate attacks, we emailed them again to see if they were safe. Attached is their response that shocked both Darrel and I to the core. We were very relieved to hear that Aspen and other yachts are taking these extreme safety measures, but we are deeply saddened that it has come to this.

THEIR EMAIL:

Loretta and Darrel,

Hi!  It is nice to hear from you.  Yes, it has been a difficult journey since we left Thailand. We are glad you are staying there! Below is the press release we sent out yesterday. Keep safe!

Steve and Maria, SY Aspen

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 12th 2011.

The 2009/2011 Blue Water Rally has effectively come to an end in Salalah, 17 months after the fleet left Gibraltar to sail around the world. The original rally plans concluded in Crete at the end of April, however the remaining skippers have decided to ship their yachts directly to Marmaris, Turkey.

This decision was taken when four American rallyers were fatally shot by pirates after their sailing yacht Quest was captured on passage from Mumbai to Oman and the subsequent capture of sailing Yacht ING with a Danish family onboard.

These incidents and other recent acts of piracy in the area have made proceeding in any direction from Salalah too high-risk for the vast majority of participants. Strong recommendations from The UK Maritime Trade Organisation and The Maritime Liaison Office were decisive factors. 

An action team was quickly set up by the skippers and crews to handle the planning and negotiations necessary to extricate the 20 yachts currently berthed in Salalah.  A maritime transport company has now been contracted to ship the yachts. Over the coming weeks, crews are keeping themselves occupied with preparatory boat work and exploring some of what the Dhofar province of Oman has to offer.

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CanKata hopes that all goes well with Aspen’s new plans and that all the rally members are soon able to enjoy peaceful sailing and ease of mind.