Would You Sail Through a War Zone? These Yachts Did—Here’s How They Survived The Red Sea

Yachting World is reporting that while missiles rain down on oil tanekrs and major shipping companies divert billions in cargo away from the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, a handful of brave, or perhaps foolhardy, yacht owners are still venturing into the dangerous waters of the Red Sea. The lingering threat from Somali pirates still exists but a new threat is more dire—Houthi rebels who have no qualms about targeting ships, especially those with connections to the U.S., U.K., or Israel. But despite the rising dangers and the ominous warnings, some small boat sailors, like Greetje Tops and her partner Niels, are determined to make the journey.

For yachts like Black Moon, the choice wasn’t easy. Sailing the long route around the Cape of Good Hope was a logistical and financial nightmare. Extended prep time in Asia? Refitting their boat? Another year living in tight quarters? None of those options were appealing. Instead, they rolled the dice, formed a small convoy with other yachters, and embarked on a six-week journey – via the Suez Canal – filled with sandstorms, harsh winds, and the constant risk of crossing paths with hostiles. In mid-May, they emerged, miraculously unscathed, into the relative safety of European waters.

The statistics aren’t exactly reassuring. Fifty to sixty yachts made the Suez transit in 2023 and 2024, down from 75 in 2019. But who’s counting when you’re dodging not just pirates but armed rebels with sophisticated weaponry? This isn’t just about adventure anymore—it’s survival in a war-zone. And, of course, preparation is key. Tops and her crew began working with their Egyptian canal agent months in advance. By the time they were in Thailand, they were already in communication with officials who would eventually guide them through the canal’s bureaucratic labyrinth.

But for every sailor willing to face the risks, there are those who, like Saskia Stainer-Hutchins and her husband Ross, wisely decided to give the Red Sea a wide berth. They’re lounging in the Indian Ocean, enjoying the relative safety of the islands, monitoring security updates from afar, and thinking, “Why risk it?” It’s not a bad choice when you consider the options: be tracked and monitored by naval coalitions and warplanes, or sip cocktails in paradise.

For those who prefer to avoid the dangers of piracy or conflict zones like the Red Sea, yacht transport ships offer a safer, albeit costly, alternative. These specialized vessels allow yacht owners to bypass risky waters entirely by loading their boats aboard massive cargo carriers for transport across the globe. Some yacht transport providers, like DYT Super Yacht Transport, have elimited the Middle East entirely while others like SevenStar still offer the service albeit on older ships like the twenty year old Lila Mumbai. You can also load some yachts aboard RoRos traveling around Africa.

While this option eliminates the stress and hazards of sailing through volatile regions, the convenience comes at a steep price. Depending on the size of the yacht and the route, transport fees can easily run into the tens of thousands of dollars, making it a luxury that many cruisers find hard to justify. However, for those who prioritize safety or simply want to avoid long, arduous passages, the cost may be worth the peace of mind.

Still, it’s hard to ignore the grit (or stupidity?) of those, like the crew of Black Moon, who choose to face heavily armed Houthis head-on. With everything from pepper spray to stun-flashlights, they’re prepared for the worst, even if their equipment seems more appropriate for a late-night mugging than an encounter with insurgents, ballistic missiles and drones. Their Iridium sat phone became their lifeline, keeping them in contact with the U.S.-led naval coalition, but it’s unclear how much help the US Navy would be willing or able to provide yachts under attack.

For those bold enough to continue, the rewards may be uncertain, but they’re tangible: fewer boats crowding the Suez, the unique satisfaction of knowing you made it through a high-risk zone, and, for some, the bragging rights that come with defying the odds. Yet, not even the rugged charm of the Red Sea can make up for the potential chaos that awaits any misstep.

So, as billion-dollar shipping empires retreat and the seas become more treacherous, some intrepid souls are still out there, sailing their modest yachts through the Red Sea. Are they idiotic risktakers with a death wish or is danger just part of the appeal of ocean sailing? That’s for you to decide.

Read the full story over at Yachting World: How to transit the Suez Canal by yacht

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