smartraveller.gov.au - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
It's a must see destination.
It's a must see destination.
This advice has been reviewed and reissued.
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This document should be read in conjunction with the General Advice for Australian travellers and the Travel Advisory for your destination/s.
Attacks by Somali pirates near the Horn of Africa are increasing in frequency.
According to statistics from the International Maritime Bureau’s (IMB) Piracy Reporting Centre (PRC), in the Gulf of Aden and off the east coast of Somalia in 2008 there were 111 attempted attacks of piracy with a total of 42 hijackings. In 2009, there have already been more attacks than last year
Pirates have been using motherships to attack shipping further than 600 nautical miles (1110km) from the coast of Somalia. On 15 April 2009, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) advised its members that shipmasters should not, unless unavoidable, plan their passage within 600 nautical miles off the Somali coast in the Western Indian Ocean.
All forms of shipping are attractive targets for Somali pirates, including commercial vessels, pleasure craft (such as yachts) and luxury cruise liners. We strongly advise Australians to maintain a high level of vigilance and to exercise extreme caution when anywhere near these waters.
Examples of piracy off the coast of Somalia and the Horn of Africa include:
Vessels, crew members and passengers hijacked in waters off Somalia have been held for long periods by pirates demanding ransoms.
Incidents of piracy perpetrated by Somali pirates have also occurred in the territorial waters of Kenya, Tanzania and Seychelles. We strongly advise Australians to maintain a high level of vigilance and to exercise extreme caution when travelling in, or in the vicinity of these waters.
There are high levels of piracy in many other regions around the world, including:
On 4 December 2008, a tug and barge carrying coal was attacked off Tioman Island peninsular, situated off Malaysia’s east coast in the South China Sea. The IMB has advised there were four attacks, including one hijack, reported in 2008. All four attacks were in the same location. IMB is advising all ships to maintain a strict watch for pirates within a 100-nautical-mile radius of Tioman Island.
Piracy-related crimes of opportunity, such as unlawful requests for payment for anchorage or petty crime, can occur in remote or isolated anchorages. In November 2006, armed pirates ransacked a vessel, stole valuables and threatened its occupants while anchored in the Solomon Islands.
The IMB runs a 24-hour Piracy Reporting Centre based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, which issues daily reports broadcast to all shipping on the Safety Net service of Inmarsat-C and weekly reports on its website. The services of the centre are free and are available to all ships, irrespective of their flag. The 24-hour Anti-Piracy HELPLINE can be contacted on telephone (60 3) 20310014; facsimile (60 3) 20785769; (telex) MA34199 IMBPCI; and (email) IMBKL@icc-ccs.org.uk.
The IMB recommends the installation of Shiploc, an on-board satellite tracking system that can help locate hijacked vessels. Secure-Ship, a non-lethal, electrifying fence which surrounds the whole ship, is also recommended by the International Maritime Bureau.
The following websites also contain information about piracy:
Foreign and Commonwealth Office, which includes precautions against piracy and procedures during an attack.
Noonsite.com
The International Maritime Organization
Yacht Piracy
Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. You can find more information about this threat in our General Advice to Australian Travellers.
We continue to receive reports that terrorists are planning attacks, including against vessels at sea and in port. Ports can also be potential targets. Actual and planned terrorist attacks on shipping have targeted vessels either in port or close to shore.
Terrorists may attack official or civilian targets depending on their particular objectives at the time.
In August 2005, a rocket attack targeted USS Kearsarge and USS Ashland while the naval vessels were docked in the Red Sea port of Aqaba in Jordan. Two people were killed.
In March 2005 and April 2004, terrorists kidnapped a number of people from vessels off the east coast of Sabah, Malaysia and demanded ransom for their release. Also in April 2004, three people on board an inflatable boat from the USS Firebolt were killed as a dhow they were preparing to board exploded in an apparent suicide attack off the Iraqi coast.
Terrorists claimed responsibility for the sinking of a superferry travelling between Manila and the central Philippines in February 2004.
Attacks have also occurred in Yemeni waters using small boats packed with explosives or carrying suicide bombers.
Piracy may occur in waters near regions of civil unrest.
While in port, you should avoid demonstrations, public gatherings and minor disputes that may occur as they have the potential to escalate and become violent.
You should closely monitor the media and other local information sources for information about new possible safety and security risks.
Exclusion zones can be declared around coastal areas, often in the vicinity of sensitive government infrastructure such as military bases. Many countries rigorously patrol and defend their territorial waters from unauthorised vessels. You should ensure you are aware of the location of these areas and take extreme care not to stray into them.
The waters around the northern and eastern coast of Sri Lanka are declared restricted zones by the Government of Sri Lanka. Government security forces have fired on unauthorised vessels.
In June 2007, three men fishing in the Persian Gulf were detained by Iranian officials, who alleged they had strayed into Iranian-control waters. In March 2007, 15 British sailors and marines were detained for two weeks for the same reason.
We advise you to be alert to your own security and exercise common sense and look out for suspicious behaviour.
You should take sensible precautions to protect your valuables, such as using the ship's safe and minimising signs of wealth.
You should familiarise yourself with safety equipment and evacuation procedures. You should take part in safety drills and ensure there are sufficient lifejackets in your cabin. In November 2007, 10 Australians were among more than 150 people rescued after their cruise ship sank after hitting an iceberg en route to the Antarctic.
Crimes, including sexual assault and robbery, can occur after passengers have accepted 'spiked' food or drink.
Passengers on cruise ships are susceptible to the same illness and diseases as those on shore. You should consult your doctor prior to travelling (see Health Issues for more information) and seek advice from ship staff about local health risks. If you do feel unwell, you should consult the ship's doctor.
We strongly encourage you to take out comprehensive travel insurance to cover emergencies and any activities you may undertake as part of your cruise. In the event of a medical emergency, you may need to be evacuated from the ship or the nearest port to a hospital with the appropriate facilities. Evacuation costs can be considerable and may exceed $100,000.
You should check the ship's departure time when going ashore and allow sufficient time to return to the port.
The safety standards you might expect of tour operators are not always met, especially for adventure sports such as diving and yachting. Sufficient life jackets and adequate safety equipment may not be provided. Recommended maintenance standards and safety precautions may not be observed.
Inter-island ferries and river craft may be overloaded, poorly maintained or lack necessary life-saving equipment. Hundreds of people die every year in accidents. Check the travel advisory for your destination for more details.
Standards maintained by search and rescue services may not be as high or comparable to those in Australia. These services may not be available in some destinations and locations.
If you intend to hire jet skis or any other motorised water sport equipment while in port, check first whether it is covered by your insurance policy. There have been numerous serious accidents involving jet skis in countries around the world. Foreigners are regularly detained and arrested by police following jet ski accidents until compensation can be negotiated between parties.
All oceanic regions of the world can experience tsunamis, but in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, there is a more frequent occurrence of large, destructive tsunamis because of the many large earthquakes along major tectonic plate boundaries and ocean trenches. See the Tsunami Awareness brochure.
Tropical cyclones and hurricanes occur during the wet season in many places around the world. Communications may be disrupted in affected areas. You should closely monitor the local media for the most up-to-date weather information and follow the advice of local authorities. See the Severe Weather: Hurricanes, Cyclones and Typhoons travel bulletin.
There are active volcanos around the globe, with many located in the world's oceans and seas. Most countries with active volcanos closely monitor volcanic activity and post updates on official websites.
Strong coastal currents, including rip tides, can make swimming and diving dangerous. Local authorities can provide advice regarding local conditions.
If a natural disaster occurs, you should monitor the media closely for information on evacuation procedures and follow the advice of local authorities. Information on natural disasters can be obtained from the Humanitarian Early Warning Service.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed cases of H1N1 Influenza 09 in a number of countries throughout the world. For a list of these countries, visit the WHO website. For further information and advice to Australians, including on possible quarantine measures overseas, see our travel bulletin on H1N1 Influenza 09.
We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation, before you depart. Confirm that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away and check what circumstances and activities are not included in your policy. Remember, regardless of how healthy and fit you are, if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. The Australian Government will not pay for a traveller's medical expenses overseas or medical evacuation costs.
Your doctor or travel clinic is the best source of information about preventive measures, immunisations (including booster doses of childhood vaccinations) and disease outbreaks overseas. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides information for travellers and our Travelling Well brochure also provides useful tips for travelling with medicines and staying healthy while overseas.
The standard of medical facilities and medical care is significantly lower than those in Australia in many countries. There can be shortages of medical equipment and medicines and hygiene can be poor. Upfront payment is required in some countries before treatment will begin. In the event of a serious illness or accident, medical evacuation to a destination with appropriate facilities may be necessary. The costs for medical evacuations can exceed $100,000.
Decompression chambers are often located near popular diving locations. You should check the location of decompression chambers in the travel advice for your destination.
Water-borne, food-borne and other infectious diseases are prevalent around the world with major outbreaks occurring from time to time. We encourage you to consider having vaccinations before travelling. If you are in doubt about the quality of the water in any country, we recommend you boil all drinking water or drink bottled water, avoid ice cubes and raw and undercooked food.
Due to the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in many countries around the world, victims of violent crime, especially rape, are strongly encouraged to seek immediate medical assistance.
Medicare benefits are payable for services rendered by an Australian registered medical practitioner on board a vessel travelling between two Australian ports, even if the vessel leaves Australian waters during the journey. Medicare benefits are not payable if the journey is between an Australian port and a foreign port or between two foreign ports.
The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has confirmed cases of avian influenza in birds in a number of countries throughout the world. For a list of these countries, visit the OIE website. For information on our advice to Australians on how to reduce the risk of infection and on Australian Government precautions see our travel bulletin on avian influenza.
You can obtain consular assistance from the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra may also be contacted by telephone on (02) 6261 3305.
Whatever the reason you are travelling and however long you'll be overseas, we encourage you to register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. You can register online or in person at any Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate. The information you provide will help us to contact you in an emergency - whether it is a natural disaster, civil disturbance or a family issue.
In a consular emergency if you are unable to contact an Australian diplomatic mission, you can contact the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or 1300 555 135 within Australia.
While every care has been taken in preparing this travel information for travellers, neither the Australian Government nor its agents or employees including any member of Australia's consular staff abroad, can accept liability for injury, loss or damage arising in respect of any statement contained therein.
