We have two pretty sensitive passages on this trip. Later we will pass through the Strait of Hormuz with Oman to port and Iran to starboard. But for tonight, we squeeze through the water that connects the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. To port is Yemen, war zone and terrorist training ground, to starboard Somalia, land of pirates.
I had briefly wondered if our deck crew had been trained in repelling boarders but no need, we took on a private, armed security team today. I found it oddly comforting.
Tonight, instead of being the fully lit, Christmas tree party boat extravaganza that we usually are at night, we are going dark. The point is to minimize our visibility to would-be pirates on the prowl. Most of the outside lights are off or very much dimmed. It had been my habit to walk a couple laps around the boat on the uppermost deck, but when I approached the stern it was so dark as to creep me out. The promenade deck which is also good for walking was spooky too.
