SOURCE: Google Earth Community http://bbs.keyhole.com/ubb/placemarks/741377.kmz Somali pirate coast. Detailed tracking information. Areas of ship hijacking activity, ransom. Ports, points of refuge, re-supply, adjacent airstrips, small fishing villages. Pirate resource locations. Coastal towns and villages with alternative names. Cities, Major shipping ports, airports, roads, intersections, crossroads.
| 0: Gulf of Aden Pirate Area Ver detalle |
| 1: Eyl Somali Pirate Base Compound Ver detalle |
| 2: HOBYO Port Ver detalle |
| 3: MOGADISHU PIRATE ZONE Ver detalle |
| 4: Shipping lane - Indian Ocean (Europe - Southern/Eastern Africa Ver detalle |
| 5: Shipping lane - Gulf of Aden (Asia-Europe) Ver detalle |
| 6: Eyl Port Road Ver detalle |
| 7: EYL Road Ver detalle |
| 8: Eyl Port Road 2 Ver detalle |
| 9: Eyl Road 1 Ver detalle |
| 10: Hobyo coast road Ver detalle |
| 11: Hobyo Air Strip Ver detalle |
| 12: Harardere coast road Ver detalle |
| 13: Bosaso Runway Ver detalle |
| 14: Garowe Airstrip Ver detalle |
| 15: Somali Highway Ver detalle |
| 16: Somali Road Ver detalle |
| 17: Gardo Airstrip Ver detalle |
| 18: Hargeisa Airport Runway Ver detalle |
| 19: Burao Airfield. Ver detalle |
| 20: Garowe East Airstrip Ver detalle |
| 21: Lasqoray Airstrip Ver detalle |
| 22: K50 Airstrip runway Ver detalle |
| 23: Gulf of Aden Pirate Area Ver detalle |
| 24: EYL Ver detalle |
| 25: EYL Pirate Boats Ver detalle |
| 26: EYL Ransom Anchorage Ver detalle |
| 27: EYL Pirate Base Ver detalle |
| 28: EYL Checkpoint Ver detalle |
| 29: HOBYO Ver detalle |
| 30: HOBYO Pirate Boats Ver detalle |
| 31: HOBYO Compound Ver detalle |
| 32: HOBYO Compound 2 Ver detalle |
| 33: HOBYO Trucks Ver detalle |
| 34: HOBYO Ransom Anchorage Ver detalle |
| 35: Hobyo Air Strip Ver detalle |
| 36: HARARDHERE Ver detalle |
| 37: MOGADISHU Pirate Area Ver detalle |
| 38: MOGADISHU Ver detalle |
| 39: CALULA Ver detalle |
| 40: AL MUKALLAH Ver detalle |
| 41: BOSASO Ver detalle |
| 42: Bosaso Ver detalle |
| 43: Abo Ver detalle |
| 44: Garable Ver detalle |
| 45: Wisil Ver detalle |
| 46: Garacad Ver detalle |
| 47: Saylac Ver detalle |
| 48: Berbera Ver detalle |
| 49: Maydh Ver detalle |
| 50: Lasqoray Ver detalle |
| 51: Loyado Ver detalle |
| 52: Beled Weyne Ver detalle |
| 53: Candala Ver detalle |
| 54: Candala Airstrip Ver detalle |
| 55: Geesaley Ver detalle |
| 56: Bareeda Ver detalle |
| 57: Bargaal Ver detalle |
| 58: Hurdiyo Ver detalle |
| 59: Hafun Ver detalle |
| 60: Ascira Ver detalle |
| 61: Fundhudule Ver detalle |
| 62: Bander Beila Ver detalle |
| 63: Cal Marhat Ver detalle |
| 64: Garmal Ver detalle |
| 65: Cag Ver detalle |
| 66: Baarbacadle Ver detalle |
| 67: Lebed Ver detalle |
| 68: Ferdhe Ver detalle |
| 69: Ceel Huur Ver detalle |
| 70: Hen Daier Ver detalle |
| 71: Kismaayo Ver detalle |
| 72: Hargeysa Ver detalle |
| 73: Burco Ver detalle |
| 74: Dhimbii Ver detalle |
| 75: Qallad Ver detalle |
| 76: Ceel Bacduur Ver detalle |
| 77: Ceel Dhahanaan Ver detalle |
| 78: Gira Ver detalle |
| 79: Dolobscio Ver detalle |
| 80: Gawaan Ver detalle |
| 81: Qosol Tire Ver detalle |
| 82: Hinbarwaqo Ver detalle |
| 83: El Gunier Ver detalle |
| 84: Ambalio Ver detalle |
| 85: Mirroon Ver detalle |
| 86: Qeycad Ver detalle |
| 87: Gorayeryall Ver detalle |
| 88: Xingod Ver detalle |
| 89: Budbud Ver detalle |
| 90: Biadera Ver detalle |
| 91: El Af Gumasorrei Ver detalle |
| 92: Daborow Ver detalle |
| 93: Ceel Cabdi Ver detalle |
| 94: El Ghan Ver detalle |
| 95: El Peccolli Ver detalle |
| 96: Uaha Ier Ver detalle |
| 97: Jariban Ver detalle |
| 98: Ceela Helay Ver detalle |
| 99: Gaalacoodday Ver detalle |
| 100: Dhinoonde Ver detalle |
| 101: Dag Lahaa Ver detalle |
| 102: Arin Ragazz Ver detalle |
| 103: Cajin Ver detalle |
| 104: Garoe Ver detalle |
| 105: Garoowe Ver detalle |
| 106: Cankhor Ver detalle |
| 107: Dagah Gudud Ver detalle |
| 108: Raguuda Ver detalle |
| 109: Mulaax Ver detalle |
| 110: Xiis Ver detalle |
| 111: Erigabo Ver detalle |
| 112: Ceerigaabo Ver detalle |
| 113: Lasqoray Ver detalle |
| 114: Durduri Ver detalle |
| 115: Ceelayo Ver detalle |
| 116: Durdura Ver detalle |
| 117: Falfalax Ver detalle |
| 118: Kulele Ver detalle |
| 119: Kabal Ver detalle |
| 120: Domaro Ver detalle |
| 121: Iifooshe Ver detalle |
| 122: Cadayo Ver detalle |
| 123: Tooxin Ver detalle |
| 124: El Ahg Ver detalle |
| 125: Bacaad Ver detalle |
| 126: Bolimoog Ver detalle |
| 127: Bolimog Ver detalle |
| 128: Belet Weyne Ver detalle |
| 129: Mogadishu Airport Ver detalle |
| 130: Berbera Ver detalle |
| 131: Gardo Ver detalle |
| 132: Hargeisa Airport Ver detalle |
| 133: El Dere Ver detalle |
| 134: Caddow Uul Ver detalle |
| 135: Itala Ver detalle |
| 136: Dhurbo Ver detalle |
| 137: Burao Airfield Ver detalle |
| 138: Mareeq Ver detalle |
| 139: Scusciuban Ver detalle |
| 140: Meeladeen Ver detalle |
| 141: Galhagog Ver detalle |
| 142: K50 Airstrip Ver detalle |
Gulf of Aden Pirate Area. This is the primary area for Somalia Pirates hijacking and attacking ships. Pirates often launch fast boats from "motherships" operating in the Gulf of Aden along the Yemen coast, into the main shipping lane. After seizing the ships using shoulder-fired rockets, machine guns, or grenades, the pirates usually move the vessels to an area along the Somali coast near the towns of Hobyo or Eyl, to hold them for ransom.
Eyl Somali Pirate Base Compound
Mogdishu Pirate Zone. At least 9 vessels were attacked by "Somali pirates" in this area in April-September 2008. The most likely mothership launch port for this area is Mogadishu, Somalia. Vessels seized by pirates operating in this area are normally taken closer to the Somalia coast and anchored, then held for ransom.
Shipping lane. Gulf of Aden - Indian Ocean. Europe - East Africa, South Africa.
Gulf of Aden - Arabian Sea shipping lane. Asia-Europe.
Eyl Port Road. From Eyl town centre to Eyl pirate base compound.
Eyl Somali road to a possible dirt air strip straight track approximately 7km (4mi) south of the town.
Hobyo coast road. Hobyo-Hinbarwaqo. Sand track road. Likely pirate access.
Hobyo Air Strip. Obbia CMO HCMO. Heading 15° or 195°. Unknown condition. Sand or dirt track. Very poor condition. Hazardous. Hobyo is a known pirate base.
Harardere coast road track. Harardere - Hinbarwaqo. Dirt track road between Harardere and the Hinbarwaqo small boat port of Hinbrwaqo on the Somali coast of Indian Ocean. Sandy, unknown condition. Prone to shifting sand.
Garowe Air Strip. Dirt. Unknown condition. Approximately 9690ft (2950m).
Gardo Airstrip. GSR HCMG. Qardho (Qardo) Somalia. Dirt strip. Unknown condition. Useful length: approximately 5000ft (1500m).
Hargeisa Airport HCMH EGAL INTLAltitude 4423ft Magnetic Deviation E1.022° RWY 6 APPR 54° RWY 24 APPR 234° Length 8000x148 ASP Useful hard runway estimated length 7400ft (2260m) unknown condition. Old Soviet installation.
Burao Airfield. Burco, Somalia. Burao BUO HCMV Dirt improved airstrip. Runway length 5000ft (1500m). Condition unknown.
K50 Airstrip runway. Approximately 40km southwest of Mogadishu. RWY 04 (heading 42 degrees) RWY 22 (heading 222 degrees) Length 1800m (6000ft) width 20m. Improved dirt or sand. Condition unknown. Local hazards include unmarked radio towers, hostile activities, pirates. Rumoured to have flights via Dallo Airlines. Well known airstrip for supply of khat, an addictive leafy stimulant.
This is the primary area for Somalia Pirates hijacking ships. Pirates often launch fast boats from "motherships" operating in the Gulf of Aden along the Yemen coast, in the main shipping lane. After seizing the ships using shoulder-fired rockets, machine guns, or grenades, the pirates usually move the vessels to an area along the Somali coast near the towns of Hobyo or Eyl, to hold them for ransom.
Eyl Somali Pirate Boats. The pirates' open fast boats are the larger of the white colored boats, with rounded bow and stern. The pirate boats used for attacks are readily differentiated as slightly longer and broader than the normal pointed fishing boats.
Eyl, Somalia. Anchorage area for ships being held for ransom by Somali pirates being supplied at the port of Eyl.
Eyl, Somalia. Main pirate port home base in the Somalia region of Puntland. Many hijacked ships from the Gulf of Aden pirate zone are anchored near Eyl when ransomed. When a pirated vessel arrives near Eyl, the pirates contact the base here by VHF marine radio. Pirates based in this town provide re-supply for food, weapons, and personnel reinforcements. The largest source of income in this town is ransom money.
Eyl Somali Pirate Checkpoint. This is the gate on the road leading down to the Eyl pirate base compound, the port fishing village, and the area where boats are beached at the mouth of the wadi.
Hobyo, Somalia. Pirate port. Small boats are fishing boats. Large boats moored behind the jetty are pirate boats.
Hobyo, Somalia. (Obbia). Large walled compound with vehicles. Likely pirate base.
Hobyo, Somalia. (Obbia). Compound with vehicles. Likely pirate base.
Hobyo, Somalia. Truck yard, vehicle compound. Likely pirate land transportation resource.
Hobyo, Somalia. Approximate location for ships anchored while being held for ransom by Hobyo Somali pirates.
Hobyo Air Strip. Obbia CMO HCMO. Heading 15° or 195°. Unknown condition. Sand or dirt track. Very poor condition. Hazardous. Hobyo is a known pirate base.
Harardhere, Somalia. (Harardera). Local militia checkpoint. Supply and trading point for the town of Hobyo. Pirates have connections in this town. It is often within radio range of ships anchored near Hobyo.
Mogadishu Pirate Hijack Area. Somali pirates can hijack ships in this part of the Indian Ocean, within about 600 nautical miles of the Somali Coast, using smaller motherships or open boats with direct attacks. Most ships tend to avoid courses along this part of the Somali coast near the main pirate home ports of Hobyo, Eyl, and Mogadishu. However, it is difficult to avoid this zone if the ship's destination is Mogadishu, Kisamaayo, or Mombasa.
Mogadishu, Somalia (Muqdisho). Major Somali port on the Indian Ocean coast. Port-of-call and re-supply for Somali pirate motherships. A destination location for pirate ransom payments for vessels seized by pirates in the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean pirate attack zones. Mogadishu is the closest port to the Mogadishu Pirate Attack Zone, which extends in a radius eastward from this port approximately 100 to 600 nautical miles. Pirate attacks are launched with fast boats attached to pirate motherships in the major shipping lane joining Europe with the coast of Africa to the south. Boats attached to the motherships can dock here and easily blend in with the local fishermen. After re-supply, the mothership then moves out into the shipping lanes where their fast boats attack vessels, either for armed theft or to hold them for ransom. When ships are seized for ransom, the pirates often take the vessel to the coast of Somalia near the pirate home ports of Eyl or Hobyo, where they are re-supplied with food and more pirates until the ransom money arrives in Mogadishu or other locations in Somalia. The city is in ruins due to many years of war, and the lack of a government for 17 years. Mogadishu has a major airport runway, but it is high risk. Large ships dock in the port, including international aid supplies, but they are sometimes mobbed or robbed while being off-loaded.
Calula (Alula or Caluula), Somalia. Coastal town on the Somali Coast, Gulf of Aden, Horno of Africa. Bari region. Place of ransom, refuge for Somali pirates with seized vessels from the Gulf of Aden. Pirates headed for the main pirate home port base in Eyl, Somalia also use this port for re-supply. One of the few coastal villages in this area with a good airstrip, approximately 0.5km southwest of the port.
Al Mukallah, Yemen. Possible port for "Somali pirate" mothership re-supply. Closest port to the Gulf of Aden Pirate Zone. Most convenient place from which to launch attacks on the major shipping lane joining Asia and Southern Africa with Europe. Fast open boats attached to the motherships can dock here and easily blend in with the local fishermen. After re-supply, the mothership then moves out into the shipping lanes where the speedboats attack vessels, either for armed theft or to hold them for ransom. When ships are seized for ransom, the pirates usually take the vessel to the coast of Somalia near the pirate home ports of Eyl or Hobyo, where they are re-supplied with food and more pirates until the ransom money arrives in Somalia. Direct attacks on yachts by groups of fast open boats originating from this port are common.
Bosaso, Somalia. (Boosaaso or Bossaso, or Bender Cassim). Major port city. "Commercial capital of Puntland". Pirate port. Pirate ransom delivery point. Airport for larger prop planes, including khat planes.
Bosaso Airport. BSA. Soft surface runway. Useful length 5800ft (1700m). 87° or 267°. A destination for khat planes.
Abo (Xabo), Somalia. Coastal fishing town on the Somali coast, Horn of Africa, Gulf of Aden. Protected port for small boats. Local pirates attacked a yacht here in 2008.
Garable, Somalia. (El Garable or El Hemanle) Village on the Somali coast.
Garacad, Somalia. (Garacaade or Gara'ad or Garaade or Grarad or Garaad) A pirate home town. It was made famous in 2008, when a pirate group from Garacad seized and held the French luxury yacht Le Ponant and its crew for ransom offshore. Some of the pirates were captured by French commandos near here in the desert as they tried to escape in 4WD vehicles. (Placemark not as precise, due to lack of high resolution imaging - October 2008)
Berbera, Somalia. Deep water port. Airport with long runway. Built by the Soviets.
Maydh, Somalia. (Mait) Coastal town on Somali coast, Gulf of Aden. Note boat dock.
Lasqoray, Somalia. (Las Khoreh or Las Qoray or Laasqoray) Town on Somali coast, Gulf of Aden. Las Qoray District.
Loyado. (Loyoda) Border checkpoint between Somalia and Djibouti. Coastal town of Loyado on Gulf of Aden.
Beled Weyne, Somalia. (Belet Weyne or Beled Huen or Belet Uen) City. refugee site of humanitarian relief. Airfield is 5km northwest of city centre.
Candala, Somalia. (Andala or Qandala) Somali coastal town on the Gulf of Aden, Horn of Africa. Well-marked dirt airstrip to east of town. Beach port for small boats.
Candala Air Strip. Dirt with runway marks and name, condition unknown. HCMC. Headings 40° or 220°. Length approximately 3000ft. Distance from Candala town is exactly 3 miles directly to the southwest of the airstrip.
Geesaley, Somalia. Coastal fishing village on the Horn of Africa, Gulf of Aden. Beach port for small boats.
Bareeda (Bareda), Somalia. Old coastal fishing town on the Horn of Africa. Beach port for small boats.
Bargaal (Bargal), Somalia. Coastal town on Somali coast, Horn of Africa. Beach port for small boats.
Hurdiyo (Hordio or Hurdiya), Somalia. Coastal town port in lagoon of Hafun or bay of Hafun.
Hafun, Somalia. (Xaafuun or Dante). Village. Cluster of small boats.Possible refuge. Ancient trading center of Opone.
Fundudule Somalia. (Gibalei or Lamiya or Gibalei) Small coastal fishing village. Small boat beach port at mouth of wadi.
Bander Beila, Somalia. (Bandarbeyla or Bender Beila or Bandarbeyla) Somali coast town, Bari region, Bander Beila district. Horn of Africa. Beach port for small boats.
Cal Marthat, Somalia. (Cal Marthal or Suj Garmale or Sudh) Somali coastal village on cliff overlooking mouth of wadi. Port for small boats in mouth of wadi.
Cag, Somalia. ('Ag or Ahg) Somali coastal fishing village. Beach port for small boats south of village.
Baarbacadle, Somalia. (Ras el-Cheil or El Danane) Fishing town on the Somali coast. Note fishing boats on the cliffside above the beach to south of this placemark.
Ceel Huur, Somalia. (Ceelxarar or El Uarot or El Hur) Small coastal fishing village.
Hen Daier, Somalia. (El Danle or Hen Daua) Small coastal fishing village.
Kismaayo, Somalia. (Chisimaio or Kisimayu) Coastal port with pier. Airfield. High population of refugees from Mogadishu.
Hargeysa, Somalia. (Hargeisa) "Capital of Somaliland". Significant regional city with major trading market. Hargeisa airport is located approximately 5km (3mi) south of the city centre.
Qallad, Somalia. (Culli or Gulle or Gaala or Galala) A point along the coast.
Ceel Dhahanaan, Somalia. (Hilalaya or Birbir) Fishing village.
Qosol Tire, Somalia. (Cozzoltire) Settlement near Somali coast. Abandoned?
Hinbarwaqo, Somalia. (El Arar) Small boat port on the Somali coast, serving the town of Haradhere. Cache of boats and goods probably unloaded from seized vessel(s) is visible in imaging available at date of placemark (October 2008). Likely pirate re-supply location. Possible confusion on name of location or spelling.
El Gunier, Somalia. Point along the Somali Coast. Nearest small boat launch for Haradheere. Location not precise, due to lack of high resolution image at time of placemark (October 2008).
Ceel Cabdi, Somalia. (El Abdi or Charki Gan) Point on the Somali Coast. Location not precise due to lack of high resolution imaging at time of placemark. (October 2008)
El Ghan, Somalia. Location not precise due to lack of high resolution imaging at time of placemark. (October 2008). Note large ship along the beach to the east of this placemark.
El Peccolli, Somalia. Point on the Somali coast. Location not precise due to lack of high resolution imaging at time of placemark. (October 2008)
Jariban, Somalia. (El Hamurre) Local militia checkpoint. Town at crossroads.
Ceela Helay, Somalia. (El Lehele) Point on the Somali coast. Location not precise due to lack of high resolution imaging at time of placemark. (October 2008)
Gaalacoodday, Somalia. (Gala-ood or Galaotei) Coastal village.
Dhinoonde, Somalia. (Denouda or Digdiglei or El Dinouda or Denouda Digdiglei or Dhinawda Dik Dik ) Point on the Somali coast.
Dag Lahaa, Somalia. (Daga Laha Uein or La Dega) Small village on Somali coast.
Arin Ragazz, Somalia. Small fishing village on the Somali coast.
Garoowe, Somalia. (Garowe or Garoweh) "Capital of Puntland". Large town in Nogal region. Major crossroad. Airstrip is 10km (7mi) northwest of town centre.
Cankhor, Somalia. (Ankhor) Landmark point on the Somali coast, Gulf of Aden.
Dgah Gudud, Somalia. Landmark point on Somali coast, Gulf of Aden. Perhaps this was once the site of a fishing village.
Erigabo (Ceerigaabo) airport. Dirt air strip. Unkown condition. Headings: 50 degrees or 235 degrees.
Ceerigaabo, Somalia. (Erigabo). Town on Sanag region, Erigabo district. Major crossroads.
El Ahg, Somalia. (Buro) Somali coastal village, Bari region, Gulf of Aden.
Bacaad, Somalia. (Bender Bacaad or Bander Bacaad or Buur Gaaban or Buro Baad) Village on the Somali Coast, Gulf of Aden.
Belet Weyne Airstrip. Dirt. Condition unknown. Approximate runway length 2000m (6500ft). Headings: 40 degrees or 220 degrees. Location is 5km northwest of Belet Weyne city centre.
BERBERA Airfield. HCMI Altitude 30ft Magnetic Deviation E1.011° RWY 5 APPR 46° RWY 23 APPR 226° Length 13582x164 ASP AFIS FREQ1 123.9 MBuilt by the Soviets.
Gardo Airstrip. GSR HCMG. Qardho (Qardo) Somalia. Dirt strip. Unknown condition. Useful length: approximately 5000ft (1500m).
Hargeisa Airport HCMH EGAL INTLAltitude 4423ft Magnetic Deviation E1.022° RWY 6 APPR 54° RWY 24 APPR 234° Length 8000x148 ASP Useful hard top runway estimated length 7400ft (2260m) unknown condition. Old Soviet installation. Hargeisa airport is located approximately 5km(3mi) south-southeast of the Hargeisa city centre.
Caddow Uul, Somalia. Small town 20km (13mi) from the Somali coast of the Indian Ocean. Approximately 130km (80mi) northwest of Mogadishu on the coastal dirt road.
Itala, Somalia. Small town on the Somali coast of the Indian Ocean. Approximately 130km (80mi) northwest of Mogadishu on the coastal dirt road.
Dhurbo, Somalia. Village on the Somali coast, Gulf of Aden, Horn of Africa. Population likely displaced.
Burao Airfield. Burco, Somalia. Burao BUO HCMV. Runway length 5000ft (1500m). Condition unknown.
Scusciuban, Somalia. (Iskushuban) Town in Somali, Horn of Africa. Crossroads.
Galhagog, Somalia. (El Gal Hagog) Very small village on Somali coast.
K50 Airstrip. Approximately 40km southwest of Mogadishu. RWY 04 (heading 42 degrees) RWY 22 (heading 222 degrees) Length 1800m (6000ft) width 20m. Improved dirt or sand. Condition unknown. Local hazards include unmarked radio towers, hostile activities, pirates. Rumoured to have flights via Dallo Airlines. Well known airstrip for supply of khat, an addictive leafy stimulant.