Red Sea Peril

Red Sea Peril records in extraordinary detail the dramatic events of an episode which grabbed headlines across the world. Written from a highly personal perspective, Red Sea Peril is a compelling tale for all who go to sea in foreign waters.

On March 19, 1996, exactly on the thirteenth anniversary of their departure from St. Katharine's Dock, London, to sail around the world, Peter and Shirley Billing were taken at gunpoint from their yacht in the Red Sea. Fortunately they were keeping a regular radio schedule with other voyagers so their disappearance from the radio waves was immediately noticed.

Accused of spying, the Billings protested their innocence at every turn, yet it was the efforts made on their behalf by fellow sailors, friends and relatives in England, press coverage and eventual assistance from British authorities that achieved their release.

It was a month before they were eventually returned to their yacht and continued their circumnavigation.