ISAF Chief warns yachts against the Gulf of Aden

7:58 PM Thu 18 Mar 2010 GMT

'Members of Al Shabab Islamist terrorist faction - involvement in piracy forecast' .

In a quick response to Sail-World Cruising's story of the 20 yachts which last week successfully transited the pirate riddled Gulf of Aden (see story ), an ISAF Chief has warned that the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has forecast that piracy is expected to worsen, with an increasing involvement of the feared Islamist terrorist faction the Al Shabab.

Chairman of the International Regulations Commission of the International Sailing Federation Alan Green has told Sail-World Cruising that, while he welcomes the safe arrival of the cruising sailors into Aden, he did not want it to be seen as a sign that the area was safe to cruise.

'Unfortunately, their success does not prove that these waters are safe from piracy, and at a conference today at the IMO, it was reported that increased piracy activity is expected.'

Mr Green went on to suggest that the aims of the new group could extend 'beyond just piracy for cash'.

'Advice from the anti-piracy naval forces including MSCHOA (Maritime Security Centre Horn of Africa), UKMTO (UK Maritime Trade Office Dubai) and CTF 151 (Coalition Task Force) and published by ISAF (International Sailing Federation) is unequivocal,' he continued, 'Yachts are strongly recommended to avoid the area.

'However should a yacht decide to transit the area then at the very least she should review the ISAF Guidelines and notify UKMTO in advance then when entering the area and daily: ukmto@eim.ae +971 50 552 3215.'

ISAF Guidelines may be found at www.sailing.org , via the Noonsite web site www.noonsite.org and the Cruising Association web site www.cruising.org.uk .

by Nancy Knudsen

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ISAF Chief warns yachts against the Gulf of Aden

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