Gulf of Aden passage

[hallasm]

Brilliance of the Seas passing Gulf of Aden January 21 and 22, 2011

We entered the Gulf of Aden and follows the international recommended transit corridor (ITRC).

During the night we were joined by a patrol boat that followed us through the gulf to keep unauthorized vessels at a distance.

As the ship crossed the Gulf of Aden in a fairly narrow corridor, there are many ships in both directions.The northern and southern boundaries of the corridor is guarded by warships, which can be seen on the horizon.

 

Since the introduction in 2009 of the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor (ITRC) for all ships passing thorough the Gulf of Aden, cruise passengers can feel much more secure against the threat of Somali piracy.

Before entering the Gulf of Aden a safety drill was conducted. For the passage ships are joining a convoy

of three or four other vessels at an allotted time and location. During the passage armed naval escort shipare shadowing the convoys.

 

Before and during the passage Informative briefings for the passengers by the captain from the bridge by loudspeakers and internal TV on effective measures in place for the safety of the ship.

Lookouts were in place at the top deck to look for potential pirate boats, and Brilliance of the Seas was closely followed by the patrol boat AL345 during the entire passage.

 

 

Some decks were closed during the passage while sun- and pool-decks were closed from sunset to sunrise. During night no cabin- or outside deck lights for three nights. - This last one means no late night dancing under the stars for a couple of nights, but inside, it's fun as usual.

During the days we didn’t see and pirates or suspicious fishing boats.

 

 

See a short video of

of Gulf of Aden

[TedC]

Thanks again for sharing with us the safety precautions and the very interesting video.

 

 

Sounds like you had a wondeful cruise. We were on Brillance its first year to the Baltics, sailing RT Harwich.

[paul929207]

Thanks for the info. we will be heading that way in about 2 months.