The Volvo Ocean Race begins this weekend. Photo / Supplied
If some of the most dangerous waters on the globe weren't enough, competitors in the upcoming Volvo Ocean Race will also have to contend with pirates.
One of the features of the second 5430 nautical mile leg from Cape Town to Abu Dhabi will be a floating pit-stop to avoid
pirates off the African coast. The six boats in the race will rendezvous with a ship in the middle of the Indian Ocean - the exact co-ordinates won't be made public so as to not alert pirates - before they are deposited in safer waters further north to continue the journey to Abu Dhabi. They will do the same on the next leg from Abu Dhabi to Sanya in southern China.
The race hasn't traditionally gone through the Indian Ocean but the sponsorship dollars being thrown at the event from wealthy Middle Eastern companies was hard to ignore.
Pirates have existed for centuries but it's become a well-organised and lucrative business and is most prevalent off the coast of Somalia. In 2010, a record 1181 seafarers were kidnapped, and it's been estimated US$150 million was paid to pirate gangs in ransoms for ships, cargoes and crews last year alone.
The original race route didn't factor in floating pit-stops but organisers are taking no risks. It adds another element to a race that already has more adventure than an Indiana Jones movie.
