https://globalsolochallenge.com/mauritania-piracy/

Getting close to Africa’s western coast, aside from not being a logical choice as in typical seasonal weather should mean finding headwinds and opposing currents, not to mention the not entirely unlikely chance of pirate attacks. However, if weather systems are displaced from their normal position the fastest route may take skippers further inshore.

Even though pirates are known to mainly target cargo ships, attacks on yachts are not unheard of.