Left Salalah in a sandstorm although there was no wind. The visibility is poor, maybe 1 mile. Our  convoy is formed by other 3 boats (an American, an Australian and a Danish), all 37ft so this way we can maintain similar speed. There are 2 routes possible through this dangerous waters: near the corridor, this is were the warships are but also the unlit cargo ships and most of the pirates. The other option is to sail near the coast but then there are the fisherman to  avoid, and some are armed. We opted  for the latter. The group made up 7 waypoints along the  route, so we all knew where to head, always keeping within one mile or less from each  other. We broke the rules and run with navigational lights at night.

04th March

The British Navy told us some of the difficulties to differ the attacks. The first problem is to identify who is a pirate, there are a lot of fishing boats around and high speed boats smuggling goods. The area patrolled by the Navy is  800 miles long, to get to the boat  in distress takes time, sometimes it is too late, not to mention all the false alarms used for decoy. Finally there is the legal side and international  and territorial  water rules. The Navy guys find this task very frustrating.

05th March

Last night was very busy on the main channel of VHF. 3 merchant ships contacted the American Navy, being followed by suspicious speed boats. One of them  was actioning the "defensive plan". Then the main radio channel got blocked for 5 minutes with music, another tactic used by the pirates. Today was the first time we had wind and could sail. Real challenge to keep close once under sail.  Sunburnt and us left the other two boats a bit behind, but regrouped in the evening. We have to sail as we haven't got enough diesel to get to Aden. Before sundown lots of fishing boats came from nowhere, we watched them for a while but they just waved at us, guess they are  not pirates.

06th March

More Maydays, but now it was during daytime. Even our German friends, on a separate convoy 7 miles behind us, had a go at it. Six speed boats came very close to the Germans. They panicked and called Mayday. The response from the French Navy was prompt and reassuring. The Germans were concerned that the speed boats were following them and also they picked up on radar some other boat ahead that seemed to be the mother ship. The French warship's aircraft advised  that they will be over flying the area in 10 minutes. That is a very quick response. The Germans gave the bearing and distance of the mother ship. Few minutes later the aircraft flew over our heads and reported back to the Germans that the only boats out on that position are 4 yachts! Must say we had a giggle. Whilst all this was happening we were trying to contact our convoy to close up and had no response for over 1 hour, they were all eavesdropping in the German's conversation with the Navy. Cracks are starting to appear on our convoy. The Americans have engine problems and all besides the Danes (they carry 750ltrs)  are running low on fuel due to the strong current against us. Today we slowed down and the Danes made some remarks on the radio.  They offered to supply fuel but because of that they feel like everybody has to keep up with their speed. 

07th March

The tables turned, with 10 knots of wind everybody can sail and go fast, but the Danes, they have a very heavy boat. Adding  to that, the Danes also had some engine troubles. Nobody slowed down this time. So far it has been very hectic with sail changes, hoisting cruising chute, polling out the head sail. With light winds and lack of diesel we have to make the most of every little wind we get and at the same time keep up with the others.

08th March

We are registered with UKMTO (UK Maritime Trade Operations) and they are monitoring our progress daily. The Coalition Forces has been on top of every distress  call,  doing a brilliant job despite the difficulties.  At sundown our group was split apart, a fishing boat approached the boat further away from the group. More boats appeared in the horizon, it looked suspicious. Graham decided to close up to the boat in danger, with  a very abrupt maneuver. That must have sent a message to  keep away as the fishing boats disappeared as quick as they arrived.

09th March

The spirits lifted, everybody seems to be glad that it is almost over. To make thing even better a nice breeze of 12 knots was blowing. The sails went back up again and all the boats , but the Danes , were moving fast. Now  the concern was to get in at daylight so nobody was holding back and the group sailed loosely. Despite the bickering we all got in  and nobody ran out of fuel. Although the Americans and us are not in speaking terms with the Danes any longer.