While continual piracy attacks keep the watching world's focus on Somalia, another coastline the long range cruising sailor should be aware of is that of Ecuador. Owing to a recent incident of piracy off the picturesque cruising coast of Ecuador, the U.S. Consulate Guayaquil has now issued a piracy warning for that coastline.
In their statement they advised sailors visiting or resident in Ecuador to use extreme caution when sailing near the coast of Ecuador, due to the recent incident of armed robbery at sea off the coast of Ensenada de Pedernales, Manabi by modern day pirates.
Ecuador map - Manabi is very near the equator - .. .
All small craft are at risk for attack by pirates. This incident highlights the continuing danger of maritime travel off the coast of Ecuador. If transit off the coast is unavoidable, it is strongly recommended that vessels travel in convoys, transit over the horizon from land, and maintain good communication at all times.
The consulate also suggests that before planning a trip at sea you should research anti-piracy measures. Ensure your vessel maintains an Automatic Identification System (AIS) transmitter, working transponders and HF and VHF radios, use high illumination lights after dark, lock your doors to living spaces, gather information from other vessels, have personnel on watch on deck at night, increase your speed, and keep your distance from suspicious ships.
The sailing coast of Ecuador - not safe any more - .. .
A reported pirate tactic has been to issue a false distress call to lure a vessel closer into a trap; therefore caution should be taken when responding to distress calls.
The Department of State encourages U.S. citizens - but the information is applicable to sailors of all nations - to ensure that standard required safety equipment is aboard, including life preservers, prior to getting underway; also to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness, even when on the open seas.
To connect with the U.S. Consulate's Webpage in Guayaquil, and receive the appropriate 'Warden Messages', click here
Long range cruising sailors are reminded that the coast of Venezuela and the Rio Dulce in Guatemala have also been locations of recent serious piracy attacks. Use the powerful Sail-World SEARCH function (top right hand corner of the screen) to find applicable news stories.
by Nancy Knudsen
6:41 AM Mon 1 Dec 2008 GMT
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