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Aside from the obvious "Why tip your hand to criminals?" rationale, one reason is that there are no official regulations with which lines must comply. Fire hoses and foam, sometimes with added slippery or smelly qualities, can be an effective deterrent. Water cannon serve a dual purpose in drenching the assailants and potentially sinking their small boats. In such asymmetric conflict situations where a big ship is under threat from a small boat, the best method of defence, says Brooks, is to disrupt the targeting process by separating target and attacker in time or space. For five nights, while the ship was passing the Horn of Africa and through the Gulf of Aden, the outdoor Promenade Deck was closed from dusk until dawn.
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Bahamas resort refutes American cruise ship passengers' sex attack warning - Fox News
Bahamas resort refutes American cruise ship passengers' sex attack warning.
Posted: Fri, 09 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
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. Although 162 ships were attacked by pirates in 2019, the number of ships attacked in 2020 has risen to 195… The number of ships attacked by pirates worldwide from 2010 to 2020. Tankers were attacked by pirates 43 times and container ships were attacked 27 times. Somali pirates have been a hazard to international shipping for nearly 20 years.
'Passengers threw tables and deckchairs': what happens when cruise ships are attacked by pirates
While there are no book laws that would force shipping companies to comply, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) offers tactics, techniques, and technologies that offer compelling proposals for avoiding pirate attacks. The organization monitors pirate attacks around the world, and nearly all of them involve merchant ships and oil tankers. Edith Laird, who lives in Seattle, traveled on a boat with her daughter and friends. She told BBC Television in an email that her daughter saw pirates outside the window. Astor was rescued, and perhaps many passengers did not even notice the incident.
Pirate Activity in Maritime Regions
The use of razor wire, when strategically placed, adds an additional level of physical hindrance to impede pirates trying to gain access to the ship. Larger cruise ships have a high freeboard – the distance between the waterline and open decks – that makes boarding difficult for pirates using grappling hooks to climb from a moving boat. Modern pirates usually attack merchant ships, but they are also known for attacking private yachts and cruise ships, stealing the personal belongings of crew and passengers instead of attacking the cargo of the ship. It is worth noting that previous ships from Royal Caribbean International, Azamara Club Cruises and many other cruise companies have recently passed the Gulf of Aden smoothly. Shipowners said pirates fired grenade launchers and machine guns at a luxury cruise ship off the east coast of Africa on Saturday. Piracy is common off the coast of Somalia, with several ships per month being attacked or hijacked, while valuables are stolen and the crews held hostage.
Bahamas travel warning 2024: 2 women attacked on cruise out of Florida - The Florida Times-Union
Bahamas travel warning 2024: 2 women attacked on cruise out of Florida.
Posted: Fri, 09 Feb 2024 14:33:56 GMT [source]
Attack on the MSC Melody: Passengers Fought Pirates with Tables and Deck Chairs
The “tower things” resemble standard oil rigs, and the supposed “pirate ships” on the horizon look more like ordinary cruise ships, showing no signs of pursuit. 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.
How common are pirate attacks on cruise ships?
Says more than a few passengers are irritated by the captain's posturing, and they in no way view him as a hero. "Many are now asking why the captain first had to be alerted about the shots through the passengers," says R. He is also unwilling to accept claims made by the cruise company that the passengers were never in danger. The shots were "fired at windows located just 50 meters from a group of many hundreds of passengers" attending a classical music concert, he says. Ms Jasinski also said that 10 of the cruise’s 104 days at sea were spent in a dusk-to-dawn lockout as the ship sailed through the high-risk waters. Crew are advised to wear bullet-proof vests and helmets, and to protect open bridge wings with steel plates or sandbags.
One of the most well-known piracy hotspots is the Gulf of Aden, located off the coast of Somalia in the Horn of Africa. This region has faced a significant pirate threat for years due to weak law enforcement, political instability, and high poverty rates. Attacks in this area have targeted both commercial vessels and luxury cruise ships, making it crucial for cruise lines to take necessary precautions. Based on the email I received from a friend of mine, I think it’s good to know that commercial cruise lines seem to be very prepared for the pirate opportunity. While the very possibility of a pirate attack on a cruise ship makes us cringe, they are still much more likely to focus on the more lucrative cargo industry, as in the past.
If the high-pressure spray didn’t stop wannabe intruders, the detergent solution should. Most of them have had serious defense training, and usually some of that comes from military experience. Often, they're sourced from the Philippines, Nepal, Israel and South Africa, and they are already well trained before they even step onboard. Waters become international past the 12th nautical mile of territorial jurisdiction, and the prescribed Maritime Safety Protection Area is lawfully patrolled by international anti-pirate taskforces.
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The onboard surveillance systems captured the incident and provided real-time footage to the security team for analysis. Effective coordination with external security forces is of utmost importance during a pirate attack. Cruise ships have established procedures to relay information to naval authorities or coast guards, seeking assistance and providing critical details about the situation.
Continuous evaluation and improvement of security procedures and training programs are essential to keep up with evolving pirate tactics. Cruise lines collaborate with industry experts, consultants, and relevant authorities to stay updated on the latest security measures and best practices. This commitment to ongoing training and improvement allows cruise ships to adapt to new challenges and ensure the highest level of security for passengers and crew members. 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.
This collaboration allows for a coordinated approach to defuse the threat and ensure the safety of everyone on board. Some cruise ships are equipped with citadels, which are secure rooms designed to provide a safe haven for passengers and crew in the event of an attack. Citadels are reinforced and fortified compartments that are difficult for pirates to penetrate. They are equipped with communication systems, emergency supplies, and essential amenities to sustain occupants until rescue or assistance arrives. To fortify against pirate attacks, cruise ships employ ship hardening techniques designed to make it extremely challenging for pirates to breach the vessel.
The five gunmen who attacked a chemical tanker in the Gulf of Aden on Sunday and were later captured by the U.S. Guests booked on the October 14, 2024 sailing of Anthem of the Seas were informed by Royal Caribbean that they have decided to cancel a Middle East cruise because of concerns for the ship's safety. Without hesitation, passengers began to grab whatever they could find around them. "We immediately began throwing tables and deck chairs at the rope," said Tayler. Crew members are trained to act in an emergency, but little is publicized about the actual security crew that all ships employ. You're never going to hear too much from cruise lines about their tactics involving pirate security.
Pirateering was created to generate interest in nautical-themed careers and pastimes. The end toward which the company steers is the creation of a community of people who recognize seafaring as a viable lifestyle. I've been the captain of a fishing boat for over 20 years, and I created Pirateering to share my knowledge of and interest in seafaring.
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