Statements regarding the detention of sailors by Iran

Statements regarding the detention of Volvo 60 “Kingdom of Bahrain”

Toby Haws - Cruiser Captain / PR Officer - Dubai Offshore Sailing Club

Race organizers express sentiments to detained crew and reaffirm race organisation

On behalf of the Dubai Offshore Sailing Club and organizing committee for the 17th Dubai-Muscat Offshore Sailing Race, we would firstly like to express our sentiments to the concerned family and friends of the sailors being detained in the recently reported detention of the Volvo 60 “Kingdom of Bahrain”.

We were expecting them for the start of our annual race last week, and looking forward to watch them compete in the longest sailing race in the Middle East against competitors including the Arabian 100 tri maran “Majan” from Oman, the Beneteau 44.7 from Qatar and the dual “Team Premier” TP52 and Landmark 43 entrants from Dubai.

Crossing UAE and Omani waters, we take the organization and political sensitivity of a fleet of internationally owned and crewed vessels very seriously, with pre-arranged escorts and authorizations from the Royal Navy of Oman, UAE Coastguard and often extra support from the Royal Navy and US Navy if in the vicinity. All our races are run under the authority of the UAE Sailing and Rowing Federation, and supported through consultation with the UAE Coastguard.

However, in our race briefing we also emphasise the importance of avoiding all Iranian waters, especially those surrounding the Abu Musa Island Group and the Greater and Lesser Tunbs, all of which are heavily patrolled and the site of much political sensitivity, not to mention insurance exclusion zones.

While again re-emphasising our sympathy to those caught up in this current political situation, as a club with over 35 years experience of organizing racing and cruising around the Arabian Gulf, we do wish to re-affirm that it is a perfectly safe environment to do so, providing political sensitivities and boundaries are also taken into consideration along with chart datum.

We benefit from year-round sailing and an average on-shore breeze of 10-14 knots everyday, with very little tidal or swell movement to worry about – which is why you will find a history of RC44s, Extreme 40s, ACC V5 and the writings of an America’s Cup match race happening on our waters. With very few isolated dangers to consider, the only ‘reefs and races’ to be wary of are the political boundaries that are well-publicised.

The 17th Dubai-Muscat Offshore Sailing Race concluded on Monday with 14 of the 20 entrants successfully completing the 360nm race within the time limit, which was comprehensively won by the 105ft Nigel Irens-design “Majan”, competed by Oman sail and skippered by Paul Standbridge.

We hope for a speedy end to this detention for the crew of the “Kingdom of Bahrain” following the ‘holiday’ of Eid Al Adha this week, and also encourage any yacht wishing to cruise around the Arabian Gulf to obtain local knowledge on the best sailing routes and to keep well away from the well-publicised areas of Iranian waters to avoid any undue disruption from their voyage plans.

Sail Bahrain statement

On 25 November, Sail Bahrain’s Kingdom of Bahrain Volvo 60 racing yacht was stopped by Iranian navy vessels, as it was making its way from Bahrain to the start of the Dubai-Muscat Offshore Sailing Race. The boat may have strayed inadvertently into Iranian waters.

The five crew members, all British nationals, are still in Iran. All are understood to be safe and well and their families have been informed.

The Foreign Secretary said in response:
“FCO officials immediately contacted the Iranian authorities in London and in Tehran on the evening of 25 November, both to seek clarification and to try and resolve the matter swiftly. Our Ambassador in Tehran has raised the issue with the Iranian Foreign Ministry and we have discussed the matter with the Iranian Embassy in London. I hope this issue will soon be resolved. We will remain in close touch with the Iranian authorities, as well as the families.”

More information will be posted on as soon as it becomes available.

In the meantime, please visit www.fco.gov.uk/news