Pirates Of Venezuela?

In these days where there is a lot of piracy going on around the Horn Of Africa - Somali in particular - perhaps what happened to me in April 2011 might be relevant to mention.

I believe that I was approached by Pirates from Venezuela while sailing from Grenada to Trinidad. The area can be violent and several yachts have encountered problems along this route. These pirates are not asking for ransoms, like the Somalis, but instead they steal whatever then can from the yacht and kill and/or kick the crew overboard. I was worried about my sailing there and had arranged with another yacht to sail in a small convoy to help each other in case of problems.

Probably the best way to explain what happened to me is by quoting my email to Chris, as follows:

"Left Prickly Bay at 02:30 and its a good 80 nm. Arrived in Scotsman Bay, Trinidad at 16:00. 

But I was approached by a Venezuelan fishing boat, that was not at all fishing, about half way across. Very worrying..... 

I had listened during the night and morning, on the VHF channel 16, to a "Canadian Warship 711" which was patrolling the area for drug traffic/ships, etc. as part of NATO patrolling. So when the fishing boat came at speed closer to me, I called "711" on channel 16, telling them that there might be troubles ahead for me and I gave them my position, MMSI number, Call sign, position, course, speed and AIS details, and told them I was not sure of the fishing boats intention, but that I worried . 

They discussed the situation with the captain and we continues to talk on channel 73. The fishing boat changed course as soon as I did and was getting too close for comfort. I noted there were two fishing buoys in front of them and I thought at one moment they were, after all, a fishing boat, but they ignored the buoys and were now only 50-100 meters away and slowing down. "711" called back and confirmed they were willing to help if needed.

I kept informing "711" what was happening and answering their calls and questions. The wind was dropping and I slowed down and so did the fishing boat. More worrying.....

But I believe the fishing boat heard the conversation I had with "711" and they hesitated. Another similar fishing boat was now also approaching fast and then slowed down. A lot of Spanish was then heard on the VHF, which I and "711" did not understand. No one were fishing they just stood there and watched me.

To distract them, I was giving signs to the inside of New Dawn, like if there were more than me on-board. But I was alone, which they did not know. 

Then they just stood there and when I got a bit more wind, they passed by aft. I counted seven persons on board the first boat and I think eleven on the second boat. 

The good thing then was that I noted on the AIS that "711" had steamed fast and came close to me and I could see them for the first time to my aft. What a relive to see them and also to hear that the Captain had agreed to aid me if needed. 

The "711" discretely followed me for several hours at 6 nm distance right behind me and I had several conversations with them giving the details of the fishing boat. 

In the end when we were 10 nm north of Trinidad they changed course to the E and I called them thanking the captain and his crew for the quick help and for giving me the support and for their discrete follow up aft of me so they were difficult to spot. I believe they wanted me as bait and were ready to intervene with a Helicopter, if needed.

The less positive point of this was that the other sailing boat I was sailing with in convoy, as soon as they heard me calling "711" and when they noted the fishing boat coming close to me, they, instead of approaching me, went west and stayed out of range. So much for our organised convoy safety plan....".