Clipper fleet on high alert for piracy in Celebes and Sulu Seas

A mixed day of sailing has been had by the ten international teams competing in the Clipper 11-12 Round the World Yacht Race in the last 24 hours, as they continue to battle with the varying weather conditions on their approach towards the restart gate.

In addition to the unpredictable winds, Race Director Joff Bailey reports that over the next ten days or so the Clipper Race fleet will have to negotiate three particular hazards, and as a precaution, the Race Viewer will not operate as it usually does.

“The fleet will soon be entering the Celebes and Sulu Seas which has an increased risk of piracy. The piracy in this part of the world should in no way be linked to the piracy that you hear of on the TV near Somalia which is on an almost industrial scale. The risk on the Clipper Race route can be better described as a mugging at sea, but it is still a risk that we take seriously. This is one of the main risks that the Race Team has been considering and in conjunction with the regional Navy forces and the Royal Navy liaison in Singapore mitigating plans have been put in place to reduce the risks to an acceptable level,” Joff says.

“The first action that we will be taking is that once the teams enter the Celebes Sea (approximately 48 hours away) they will go into Stealth Mode for approximately four days whilst they cross the area of risk. The gates in which they pass will also be removed. This will prevent any clever pirate from looking at the web site and following the boats. Don’t worry, the Race Team will still be tracking the yachts every hour and will put information in the daily report and on the web site so that you know what is going on.”

During this time the Race Office Team will also suspend racing so that the teams can group together and cross the higher risk areas in company to significantly reduce the risk of attack.

Joff continues “By suspending racing it will also allow the skippers to use their engines in periods of light winds which will allow the race team to schedule the boats more efficiently and also will allow the skippers the full freedom of navigation to give significant sea room to any navigational hazard.

“After about four days in Stealth Mode you will see the teams pop out and start racing again in the South China Sea with approximately 900 miles, of racing to complete.”

- Clipper Race Media