London warns against sailing in the Seychelles

by Sail-World Cruising on 2 Oct 2010 In a statement that is likely to be destructive of the once-thriving bare boat charter locations in the Seychelles, the British Government announced Friday that 'Sailing vessels are vulnerable to attacks by pirates in the waters around the Seychelles.'

They described the risk of piracy in the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean as 'significant' in waters as far off as 1,000 nautical miles from the Somali coast.

Often referred to as the original Garden of Eden, the Seychelles boasts stunning white beaches, seductively warm waters and endless sweeping bays.

Seychelles offers bareboat and skippered yacht charter holidays in this ‘paradise on earth’, which has over 100 islands - almost half of which are set aside as national parks, nature reserves and protected areas.

'We advise against all leisure boating and yachting activities within the Seychelles exclusive economic zone beyond 20 miles of the inner granitic islands due to an increased risk of piracy,' the warning read. 'Travel by air to these islands, and land based tourism is currently unaffected.'

The British government noted that two British nationals were taken hostage in 2009 while traveling 60 nautical miles away from the Seychelles.

'Sailing vessels are particularly vulnerable to attack,' the warning stressed.

On Monday, Somali pirates freed a Greek-owned cargo ship they captured during the weekend.