Could Your Summer Vacation Walk the Plank? Cruising the pirate scene.

National Review Online ^ | June 8, 2007 | W. Thomas Smith Jr.

[SuzyQ2]

With Captain Jack back on the silver screen, real-life 21st-century pirates operating off Somalia and elsewhere, and National Review preparing to set sail to Alaska, Americans aren’t crazy to wonder: Are cruise ships in any real danger of being attacked by pirates? ...

Of course, our own Navy and Marine Corps have a colorful history of fighting and defeating pirates, particularly the Barbary Corsairs in the early 19th century. Regular shipboard and special warfare sailors also have engaged pirates in little-publicized actions around the world in the 21st century. On Saturday, USS Carter Hall, an amphibious-landing ship operating off Somalia, fired warning shots over the bow of the pirate-seized freighter Danica White. The Carter Hall then destroyed three skiffs, which the pirates had used to attack and board the cargo ship.

[wastedyears]

Pirates better beware of SEALs...

[kevkrom]

I’ll note that the article dismisses the likelihood of pirates attacking one of the mega-liner cruise ships; however, I would think that some of the smaller craft catering to upscale passengers are more at risk.

[IllumiNaughtyByNature]

you want a pirate adventure, take your 27 foot sloop up the eastern side of Africa. GARE-UN-TEED plenty of pirate encounters.

:o)

[lesser_satan]

We should form our own pirate fleet to loot, pillage, and terrorize their pirates. Get a bunch of hard-drinking rowdies together and give them some old PT boats and turn them loose.

[HEY4QDEMS]

Yeah, If I had one of those boats I keep a stash of shoulder launched stingers.

[Tax-chick]

[gas0linealley]

I remember an attack on a cruise ship recently, off Africa I think, ship hit by missle, don’t know wether it was pirates or terrorists, but they were sent packing by a “cannon”, onboard the liner, which blasted the rascals with sound waves.

[jmcenanly]

I remember an attack on a cruise ship recently, off Africa I think, ship hit by missile, don’t know whether it was pirates or terrorists, but they were sent packing by a “cannon”, on board the liner, which blasted the rascals with sound waves.

There really isn't much difference, aside from the terrorist does his thing to advance a cause. Of course,trusts has to raise money somehow, and piracy has been profitable for millennial. Aside from the romance of Long John Silver, Blackbeard or even Captain Jack Sparrow, all a pirate is is a stickup man with a boat.

[SuzyQ2]

Read the article.