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Baltic News safe through the Bay of Aden
Extra preparations and safety precautions were necessary to reduce the risk for the crew and vessel when Baltic News made her first trip through the Bay of Aden in March and April. It took one and a half day to pass through the recommended corridor.
-It was somewhat strange: From a state of high excitement it very quickly changed to a state of boredom. Not at least due to the temperature outside; close to 35 degrees at the highest, explains the Captain on Baltic News, Kurt Gimmestad. 
-We were not attacked at any time, but we had one situation that had the potential to create an unwanted situation. Once we observed a very small boat on a suspicious course in our surroundings. We called the military forces that (tries to) control the corridor. Less than seven minutes later we had a helicopter above the suspicious craft. The small boat left the area and the naval forces could tell there was no threat for us. It was a real reality check, and the military support worked very, very well. All in all, we had a very good voyage from Norway to the Hydro aluminium plant in Qatar, and later a return to Norway from The United Arabic Emirates. We started loading in Norway 1st of February and completed discharging in Sunndalsøra 13th of April. That is seven week at sea and three weeks at shore.
It’s the first time Baltic News has had this kind of journey. Of security reasons we cannot explore all the extra safety precautions that were taken. But obviously barbed wire was set up all around the vessel, and extra watchmen and staff on the bridge and in engine room were on duty all the time.
–We had a six/six shift, and the cook became a very lonely man on board; we did not have much time to socialise. But it was a unique experience, and of course we are all happy for the good outcome.
Through a year some 30.000 vessels passes the Gulf of Aden, and even if the piracy is big business, just a very few of the vessels actually are being hit. By following guidelines developed on international level the risk of being stopped by pirates are very low. Actually, all vessels that have followed these guidelines have been sailing without problems through this troubled area.
-Yes, a job is a job, and we were in good company. The “helicopter experience” convinced us that we had good support. On the other hand the crew had a tough time and worked very well in a safe and cooperating spirit. I don’t think anyone onboard would say “no” for a new journey.
Bridge crossing Suez channel (Photo by Piotr Koziello)
Capt. Gimmestad and his crew on Baltic News made the journey safe and succeeded to pass the critical areas at the Bay of Aden without any problems.
Stairway to trouble: Pirates, don’t pass here, please. And they didn’t!
Beautiful sceneries: Passing new coastlines always brings new motives for the cameramen. Here, a beautiful mosque at the southern end of the Suez channel.
