Cruise ship escapes attack by pirates 100 miles off Somalia

cruise pirate attack

A video recording of an announcement on the Queen Mary 2 ocean liner explaining the protocol in the event of a pirate attack as the ship sails through the Suez Canal has gone viral, garnering over 4 million views. There have been more than 60 recorded attacks so far, and the incidents have drawn a military response from a number of countries, including the United States. Somali pirates have been a hazard to international shipping for nearly 20 years. Protecting commercial shipments from such attacks is why the U.S. helped create the international coalition of navies that patrol a shipping corridor in the Gulf of Aden. Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry. Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines.

Cruise Ships Get Attacked why.

The company does train its crews specifically to respond to pirate attacks, but he would not give any details about Seabourn’s security plans or what else the crew did in this incident. “We are extremely grateful to them; they did a superb job,” said Good of the crew, whose members come from Europe, India, Korea and the Philippines. “It is a measure of their character and courage that these people put themselves between our guests and danger,” he said. Pinto radioed an alarm code to his crew and ordered all passengers to go below deck, immediately.

cruise pirate attack

Communication and Coordinated Response

These cases also highlight the importance of maintaining a high level of awareness and preparedness when navigating through regions prone to piracy. The continuous evaluation and improvement of security measures, as well as the sharing of best practices within the industry, contribute to the collective effort in mitigating the risk of pirate attacks. By understanding the areas where pirate activity is most prevalent, cruise ships can take the necessary precautions to mitigate the risk of an attack. The next section will delve into the various measures employed by cruise ships to protect against pirate threats. As part of their commitment to ensuring passenger safety, cruise lines conduct regular emergency drills and security exercises.

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State Department has increased infrastructure assistance to help combat illegal fishing. And USAID’s Indo-Pacific Transparency Initiative, aimed at strengthening political institutions, is another area of increased assistance to the region. Conflict over maritime boundaries also undermines efforts to combat maritime crime.

Do pirates attack cruise ships? How cruise lines protect passengers

One of the primary ship hardening techniques is the reinforcement of windows, doors, and barriers. Cruise ships are equipped with sturdy windows made of laminated glass or polycarbonate materials that are resistant to impact and shattering. This makes it difficult for pirates to gain access to cabins or public areas through windows.

By implementing these physical modifications and deterrents, cruise ships aim to create a substantial barrier against pirate attacks, reducing the risk to passengers, crew members, and the vessel itself. By implementing these comprehensive measures, cruise ships strive to create a secure environment for their passengers and crew, mitigating the risk of pirate attacks. However, it is essential to highlight that no measure is foolproof, and ongoing vigilance and adaptability are critical to maintaining the safety of passengers and crew members on a cruise ship. Onboard surveillance systems play a crucial role in detecting and monitoring potential pirate activity. Advanced camera systems equipped with motion sensors and night vision capabilities are strategically positioned throughout the ship to provide comprehensive coverage. These systems allow for real-time monitoring and recording of any suspicious activity, enabling security personnel to respond quickly and effectively.

'Passengers threw tables and deckchairs': what happens when cruise ships are attacked by pirates

Pirate Motherships Active in Indian Ocean - gCaptain

Pirate Motherships Active in Indian Ocean.

Posted: Tue, 30 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

"We are no longer going to travel through the dangerous areas of the Indian Ocean near the Somalian coast," the cruise ship company's chief says. A trip through the region planned for another of the company's ships, the MSC Symphonia, for this autumn has been cancelled. "We won't travel this route and will instead take a course along West Africa," he says. In the case of the MSC Melody, the delay between the alarm and active defense was too short for pirates to be able to board the ship. Nevertheless, the photos of shattered windows in several cabins show that frustrated pirates firing around like madmen could easily have caused injuries or deaths. Many left behind their mobile phones, purses and even their shoes as they dashed to safety, he said.

Two vessels freed following Somali pirate hijackings - Al Jazeera English

Two vessels freed following Somali pirate hijackings.

Posted: Mon, 29 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

These include reinforced hulls, strategically positioned lighting, and speed optimization systems. While the image of pirates may bring to mind swashbuckling characters from a bygone era, modern-day pirate activity poses a real danger. Piracy is prevalent in certain regions with known hotspots, such as the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Somalia, the Malacca Strait in Southeast Asia, and the waters off the coast of Nigeria.

Collaboration with maritime security forces also extends to ensuring a coordinated response in the event of a potential pirate attack. Cruise ships have established communication protocols and procedures to quickly alert and request assistance from relevant authorities. This ensures a rapid response that maximizes the chances of thwarting an attack and ensuring the safety of passengers and crew members. Besides physical barriers, cruise ships also employ security personnel and provide specialized training. Trained security professionals are stationed onboard to oversee and respond to any security threats. These personnel are trained in handling potential pirate attacks and work closely with the crew to coordinate a rapid response.

But once the pirate vessel crosses into another country’s territorial waters, the hunt must end. At that point, the law enforcement ship must turn back unless bilateral or regional agreements sanction cross-border pursuit. While a country may want to secure maritime trade routes, countering maritime crime is costly and the conflict over maritime boundaries is often more salient to overall security interests.

Royal Caribbean Group had already made changes to avoid the region when the Palestinians sparked a war with Israel on October 7. The ensuing conflict sparked the Houthis to launch their own attacks on interests in the region as a sign of support. Attacks by the Iran-backed rebel group have prompted a military response, and the cruise industry has had to shift gears.

This may read like the script of a Hollywood thriller, but new reports from eyewitnesses show that the attack on Saturday evening was considerably more dramatic than accounts provided so far would suggest. Pierfrancesco Vago, head of the Italian shipping company MSC, confirmed the version that cruise ship passengers gave to SPIEGEL ONLINE, describing their statements as "authentic." Regular cruise passengers might be familiar with LRADs or Long Range Acoustic Devices. The fact remains that while yachts have been kidnapped and cargo vessels have been hijacked for ransom, there has never been a successful pirate attack on a cruise ship.

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