Gulf of Aden

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Gulf of Aden Cruising Guide

An online cruising guide for yachts sailing in the Gulf of Aden - a piracy "hot spot".

Gulf Aden Map.png
Latest News
Feb. 2011. * WARNING - it is highly advised NOT to undertake the passage via the Gulf of Aden due to extreme pirate activity at this time. Circumnavigators should rather consider the route via the Cape of Good Hope (Cape Town) until the piracy problem in the Gulf of Aden is properly solved.
* IMPORTANT! (2010) There is a large spike in piracy attempts in the Gulf of Aden and transit suggestions are changing almost daily. It is important to monitor the forum discussion thread HERE


The Gulf of Aden is a vital waterway for shipping, especially for Persian Gulf oil, making it an integral waterway in the world economy. Approximately 11 percent of the world's seaborne petroleum passes through the Gulf of Aden on its way to the Suez Canal or to regional refineries. The main ports along the Gulf are Aden (in Yemen), Zeila, Berbera, and Bosaso in Somalia.

In earlier history, the city of Crater, located just east of the modern city of Aden, was an important port in regional trade. Crater was the principal harbor of the pre-Islamic kingdom of Awsan, and after its annexation by the kingdom of Saba at the end of the 5th century, the port of Crater played a significant role in connecting Africa with Arabia.

Warning: The Gulf of Aden is an area known for acts of piracy, making its waters dangerous for cruising yachts - extreme care must be taken in transit.

Feb. 2011. WARNING - it is highly advised NOT to undertake the passage via the Gulf of Aden due to extreme pirate activity at this time. Circumnavigators should rather consider the route via the Cape of Good Hope (Cape Town) until the piracy problem in the Gulf of Aden is properly solved.

Also see:

Countries bordering the Gulf of Aden

Radio Nets

Also see World Cruiser'a Nets

Navigation Charts

List charts required

Navigation

Navigation issues?

Climate and Weather in the Gulf of Aden

General weather conditions?

Sources for weather information:

Passage Details (1)

  • NOTE: June'10 See the ISAF Guidelines for yachts.pdf in the "News" block at right.
  • NOTE: Sep'08 Don't use the waypoints below for now!!! Due to the latest reports on Piracy attacks it is NOT safe!!! Use "Passage Details (2)" below
  • NOTE: Oct'08 See the new Piracy map before making your plans to transit the Gulf.

East-West passage.

  • The 1st waypoint is Salalah on the coast of Oman, 16° 57' North x 54° 00' East, where diesel can be purchased and where yachts congregate waiting to make up flotillas before proceeding into the Gulf of Aden.
Djibouti
  • Passage:- Salalah to Djibouti
    • Leave Salalah - 16° 57' North x 54° 00' East
    • 130 nms to
      • 1st waypoint - 15° 00' North x 53° 00' East
    • 278 nms to
      • 2nd waypoint - 12° 30' North x 49° 00' East
    • 178 nms to
      • 3rd waypoint - 12° 00' North x 46° 00' East
    • 60nms to
      • 4th waypoint - 11° 45' North x 45° 00' East
    • 118 nms to
      • 5th waypoint - 11° 40' North x 43° 09' East
    • 7.5 nms to
      • 6th waypoint - 11° 37' North x 43° 07' East Djibouti Anchorage.

Total 771.5 Nautical Miles.

Aden

(If you don't want to go to Djibouti turn right for Aden, Yemen: 12°44'45.6" North x 44° 58'13" East before you get to the 4th waypoint.) G of A Piracy.jpg

Minimum Lights during passage through a 3000 sq. nautical mile area bounded by the coordinates 13° 05' North <> 13° 55' North x 47° 45' East <> 48°45' East. The centre of this "Box" is at 13° 30' North x 48° 15' East, about 80nms South West of Al Mukalla - bearing from Al Mukalla 220° true.
Best is an all round white at cockpit level. ie. fishing boat lighting. (watch out for big ships, then decklevel Nav. Lights to emulate fishing boat)


West-East passage. (Describe this passage here)

Passage Details (2)

Sep.'08. For now, consider NOT to follow the given wayppoints as given in "Passage (1) above - in the middle of the Gulf of Aden as they lead right through the route the pirates take (they come from Somalia) to the area most affected at this moment! (see the excellent chart of Location of Incidents HERE) Take a 8 mile of distance off the Yemen and Omani coast (as we did) and keep lights only on when needed and if you do, use a white light all around as most fisherboats have (besides the many colourful blinkers of all kind of shape and form). The fishing nets that you may encounter are mostly right close to the coast and should not be much of a problem 6 to 8 NM off. Keep radio contact to a minumum and on LOW power. Sail with two or three other yachts and stay in sight of each other. In case of emergency also call Coast Guard of Yemen and Oman, both quite active in the area.

Furthermore, for now, take the route close to Yemen and forget Djibouti. It takes you again closer to Somalia than you want and staying close to the Yemen coast of Bab el Mandeb gives more security. Head up North a while and then straight up to Assab where good anchorages can be found. Be aware - Assab is a 'ghosttown' and not much can be bought here. Cross the shipping lane in a 90 degree angle - Yemen's Coast Guard are picky on this!

Southbound: (Sept.'08) It is suggested that once you arrive at the entrance to the Gulf of Aden that you proceed directly to the Coalition Forces Base in Djibouti and there provide them with your passage plan etc.

Timing

  • East-West passage.
    • (Best months for this passage?)
  • West-East passage.
    • (Best months for this passage?)

Security

At the moment of writing this is one of the most dangerous areas to cross. Please take a moment to check the Location of Incidents HERE showing the attacks during the first four months in 2008 as well as a charted map of all incidents in the period of 2005 - 2007. Remember that most of the incidents in 2008 started from april so suddenly there is a sharp increase in this area. All in all, be careful and prepare well.

Ports, Marinas, Anchorages

It is here that yachts congregate to form flotillas prior to entering the Gulf of Aden.

References

Publications, guides, etc.

Forum Discussions

List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)

External Links

Personal Notes

Personal experiences?

  • Don't take the waypoints in "Passage (1)" on this page! Use the directions described in "Passage (2)". We stayed close to the coast of Yemen and did fine, see also the chart alsewhere in this section.
    Fishing nets where no problem.
    Coast guard of Yemen called us twice to check who we where.
    Aden was good to stock up and tank Diesel.
    From there some 80 NM to Bab el Mandeb, in between Island and mainland and over to Assab to anchor or head on to Massawa. Recently in Massawa there have been some problems at the anchorage (atempted robbery) but it seems that it is controlled now and you are asked to stay alongside of the cay of the harbour.
    No diesel available or in limited quantities (ask for Mike).
    Water available through the fire department.
    Wonderful place to visit, friendly people and very poor. Bring all your left-overs (clothes, food, toys, whatever to anyone you see in need in town or ask for the church to help you distribute it!! (sv Alondra)


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