Eritrea - Security
Overall Crime and Safety:
Cruisers report feeling very safe here when traveling ashore and surprised by the friendliness of the locals. Crime that is likely to affect foreigners in Eritrea is limited to pickpocketing and petty theft. The risk is higher in Asmara.
Although there’s no recent history of terrorism in Eritrea, attacks can’t be ruled out.
For travel advisories, see the following websites:
Specific areas of concern:
The FCO advise against all travel within 25km of Eritrea’s land borders, with the exceptions of: the towns of Senafe and Tessenei; the border crossings at Debay Sima – Burre, Serha – Zalambessa and Kesadika (Adi Kuala) – Rama, plus the main paved roads leading to those crossings. All border crossings between Ethiopia and Eritrea are currently closed.
In most places, the border is neither marked nor obvious.
All foreign nationals must apply in advance for a travel permit to leave Asmara.
Maritime Issues:
Military ports and coastal installations are restricted areas and should be well-avoided by cruising boats. Keep well offshore.
Harmil, position 1629.58N 04008.32E, is a military outpost and should be well-avoided.
If you get too close, it’s likely you will be approached by the Eritrean Coastguard and questioned (see incident reported below). See restrictions for more details.
The Eritrean Coast Guard are a very unprofessional looking group, and often a yacht has mistaken their visit for pirates, or armed robbers. Several times a yacht has raised a MAYDAY, only to realize 30 minutes later that the approaching skiff was legitimate Eritrean authorities.
Reported Incidents:
April 2020: Red Sea, Eritrea, Massawa: Turkish Circumnavigators Detained by Military
September 2019: A sailing yacht (probably moving south through the Red Sea) was boarded approximately 120nm NW of the Northern boundary of the High-Risk Area in position 1629.58N 04008.32E at 15:30 UTC. This sailing yacht called MAYDAY on channel 16, most likely because they mistook Eritrean Coast Guard officials for pirates. This position is Harmil, a military outpost which should not be visited by recreational vessels. Two days later the UKMTO confirmed that the yacht was safe and proceeding to its destination.
March 2011: Australian skipper and 4 crew detained in Massawa.
April 1996: British cruising couple held on suspicion of spying.
Last updated: June 2020
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Dear Sirs, we are a Motor yacht 72m and we will like to star a cruiser in Dhalak Islands on the 14th of March. Xan you please let me know how I can apply for the permit? Thank you.
Correction/Errata: Assab is in the south, Massawa in the north…Schooner Seawanhaka
Can anyone advise how to get fuel at Massawa at present please?
From http://socotra.info/ – February 2016
Another sailing boat had problems with the Eritrean authorities. The yacht was kept in the port of Massawa for over a month аfter an emergency stop near the Eritrean coast.