Yachting Guidance
In view of the recent escalation in piratical attacks in the area of the Gulf of
Aden, Yemeni and Somali, and the consequent very high risk, the essential advice
is not to enter this area. However a yacht which, despite this advice, decides on
such a passage is recommended to make contact in advance with the naval authorities
and will find in the document basic guidance for her transit. The Guidelines are
a joint production of MSC(HOA) and ISAF under the auspices of the
ISAF International Regulations Commission.
The International Regulations Commission has been established and appointed by the
ISAF Executive Committee in accordance with Regulation 41 to provide advice on matters
related to the regulation of recreational boats or craft by government actions or
otherwise.
One of the aims of the International Regulations Commission is to “monitor any legislation
or actions by international or national institutions and national Governments or
other similar bodies which affect the navigation, manning, construction, equipment,
safety and use of recreational craft or the environment and take (in conjunction
with National Authorities and other bodies representative of the users of all types
of recreational craft) appropriate action in regard thereto”.
MSC(HOA) aims to provide a service to mariners in the Gulf of Aden, the Somali Basin
and off the Horn of Africa. It is a Coordination Centre dedicated to safeguarding
legitimate freedom of navigation in the light of increasing risks of pirate attack
against merchant shipping in the region, in support of the UN Security Council’s
Resolutions (UNSCR) 1814, 1816 and 1838.
Click here to download a copy of the ISAF Guidelines.
If you are due to travel the area of high threat, please inform MSC(HOA) by emailing
postmaster@mschoa.org, with the subject line ‘Yacht
Vessel Movement’.
ISAF Cruising microsite - www.sailing.org/cruising