Jacob Bliksted Sorensen will, this week, launch the world’s first
attempt to kite-surf over 1,000 km up the East African coast to raise awareness
about the root causes of piracy. Mission Safe Oceans will launch from Pemba in Mozambique
and aims to contribute to a safer ocean for the benefit of East Africans,
visitors and seafarers.
Every year, piracy at sea poses a threat to the lives of
men and women working in the maritime industry, and poses a threat to the
global economy because over 80 per cent of global trade is carried out by
maritime transportation. Although hijackings off the coast of Somalia have
declined in recent years, it’s estimated that piracy in the Horn of Africa
still costs the global economy an estimated $18 billion per year.
Sorensen’s mission will raise funds for two non-profit organizations –
Mission to Seafarers and Adeso – that seek to address the root causes of
piracy. The General Manager at Hong Kong-based company, Pacific Basin, with his
team, will make his way from Mozambique to Tanzania, Kenya and Somalia using a
surfboard and a kite to harness the power of the wind. The mission will take up
to 30 days to complete.
Sorensen points to his passion for shipping, a safe
ocean and kitesurfing as the driving force behind this fundraising adventure.
He hopes to draw attention to a problem that continues to not only affect
trade, shipping and the lives of seafarers around the world, but also the
people of East Africa.
“Through my work I am exposed to the security challenges
on the coasts of East Africa and the Indian Ocean and I want to use my
strengths, abilities and my network in the shipping industry to make a positive
difference,” explains Sorensen.
“The ocean provides a livelihood to 1.5
million seafarers and they deserve a safe work place. Using Mission Safe Ocean as a platform to
support the charities is a tribute to the thousands of seafarers who put their
lives at risk passing through dangerous areas carrying goods that we all depend
on.”
Degan Ali, the Executive
Director of African NGO Adeso, explained
why Adeso decided to work with Sorensen on this mission. “Many young men in
Somalia have been drawn to crime and extremism as a result of a lack of
opportunities in their country, including in the fisheries sector."
"With the funds raised, we are aiming to tackle the root causes of poverty though
community‐level programs that will restore the marine and coastal
resources on which Somalis rely, improve food security, livelihoods, and
governance, while reducing the appeal of piracy and extremism.”
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