A night in "Gulf Of Aden"...

Malaysia
July 29, 2011 1:12pm CST
I am a marine engineer. We were sailing on board a chemical tanker from Singapore to Rotterdam. So in order to reach there we had to cross Suez canal and for that we had to go via gulf of Aden. The ship hijacking stories of this place are world famous. I was on bridge of ship and we could listen in the ship's radio, "the distress" call from numerous ships in night that their ship is being chased by some speed boats. Trust me it was damn scary. Although we had 18 "pascals" (marine commandos) equipped with sophisticated snipers to escort and protect us, still the thought of being in a zone where numerous have been hijacked and killed was damn scary. We all were putting our eyes on RADAR and praying in our hearts for nothing to happen. Somehow night passed. In day we saw numerous ships in convoy followed by US warships and choppers. We crossed the Gulf of Aden and entered Suez canal without any problem. It was hell of an experience and probably a night worth remembering and sharing.
1 response
dabangladehi
@dabangladehi (660)
• Bangladesh
30 Jul 11
Thank God that you had passed that dangerous place safely.As I am also marine engineer but I do not have such type of experience.I heard a lot about that place and somalian piracy.One of my friend who is also a marine engineer had that experience. That time he was a engine cadet.I had a lot from him and its really scary for hijacking.His ship and crews were hijacked for more than 6 months.After hearing everything from him,I became so afraid and pray that every marine should be safe somalian pirates. Anyways happy mylotting and safe voyages all through your marine life.