Red Sea Peril

Billing, a British-born yachting journalist, and her husband have been sailing around the world for the past 15 years in their yacht, Clypeus. They have become part of the sailing community, staying in regular radio communication with other travelers, meeting in various ports, and sharing experiences with one another. In mid-March 1996, after the Billings anchored off the Eritrean coast, they were taken at gunpoint from their yacht. They remained in Eritrean custody for one month until pressure from their family in England, journalists, and their sailing friends enabled their release. This account describes the months that led up to their misadventure, the confusion of their arrest and confinement, and the continuation of their travels afterward. It is a story of two people who believed in fair play and following the rules. When war erupted and they became victims of a confused set of circumstances, their connections with others sustained and eventually saved them. The authors' tone is matter-of-fact, with a lot of detail and little sense of emotion. Recommended for larger public libraries.