Somali Pirates Attack Cruise Ship (Shots fired at ship, nobody hurt, ship escapes)

Sky News (U.K.) ^ | November 30, 2008 | Steve Read

[Stoat]

A luxury cruise ship carrying scores of British passengers has come under attack from Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden.

 

The luxury cruise ship, Nautica, managed to avoid being hijacked

 

Two pirate boats opened fire on the six-star Nautica, as she sailed between Somalia and Yemen on Sunday.

The cruise ship, which carries 690 passengers and 386 crew, was sailing past several groups of fishing boats when two small skiffs tried to intercept it.

Captain Jurica Brajcic began evasive manoeuvres when the pirates were about 1,000 yards away from the ship and managed to avert the attack.

While cargo ships and small pleasure boats have been attacked by Somali pirates, this is only the second time they have attempted to hijack a cruise ship.

Three years ago, rocket-propelled grenades were fired at the Seabourn Spirit. Two of the ship's officers were injured.

A Oceania Cruises spokesman said: "Nautica was immediately brought to flank speed and was able to outrun the two skiffs.

"One of the skiffs did manage to close the range to approximately 300 yards and fired eight rifle shots in the direction of the vessel before trailing off."

 

No one aboard the ship was harmed and no damage was sustained.

The ship's main defence against attack, a Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD), was readied during the chase.

It emits a high-powered beam of sound which, at close range, can shatter a person's eardrums.

The six-star ship was carrying American, British and Australian passengers on a 32-day cruise from Rome to Singapore.

[Stoat]

Virtual tour of an Oceania cruise ship

Oceania Cruises - Explore The Ships - Home

[metmom]

Sink the stinkin’ pirates!!!!!

[Eric in the Ozarks]

LRAD. I want one for the summer jet skis that buzz our place...

[ClearCase_guy]

I can see a future market for predator UAVs for ships of all kinds. If trouble is coming in off the port bow, launch the UAV, let it get within about 100 yards and launch a missile.

I would think that insurance companies would almost start to insist on such a capability.

[lewislynn]

The ship's main defence against attack, a Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD), was readied during the chase.

It emits a high-powered beam of sound which, at close range, can shatter a person's eardrums.

Oh brother.

I would prefer killing them and sinking their boats so I wouldn't have to defend myself from them again...but then I'm not British.

[Lurker]

Can you say "Achille Lauro"?

L

[happinesswithoutpeace]

/mark

[ari-freedom]

pretty cool that a cruise ship has such a fancy weapon. The problem is that the “Law of the Sea” makes it hard to deal with pirates.

[Stoat]

More from Fox News

FOXNews.com - Cruise Ship Attacked by Somali Pirates - International News News of the World Middle East News Europe News

The Nautica, an Oceania cruise ship was carrying 690 American, British and Australian passengers and 386-member crew when two small fishing boats treied to intercept it.

 

*************************************************

Just a couple of questions from me.........

• Two pirate boats opened fire on the six-star Nautica, as she sailed between Somalia and Yemen on Sunday.

The reason why a Western cruise ship is operating anywhere near Somalia and Yemen these days is what, exactly?

Google Maps

• The ship's main defence against attack, a Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD), was readied during the chase.

  It emits a high-powered beam of sound which, at close range, can shatter a person's eardrums.

  1. The reason why a vessel's defenses are disclosed to the public is what, exactly?  Is there an interest in forewarning the pirates so that they can be sure to bring along earplugs next time?
  2. The reason why a luxury liner operating in extremely dangerous waters is not equipped with lethal countermeasures in this day and age is what, exactly?

Just curious.....

 

[Capn Nickerson]

I know it’s millions of square miles of ocean we’re talking about, but it seems to me that suppressing these guys might be a worthwhile (and fun!) mission for some small part of the U.S. Navy. Protecting commercial shipping from piracy is the historical basis fro having a navy, no?

[Capn Nickerson]

.50 cal through the engine block would quiet things down, I’m thinking. Jet-Ski wise, anyway.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

I own a .50 (actually .495 ball) air rifle. It would do the job but the Water Patrol might take it away from me...

[Ditter]

Oh dear, and we were planning on sailing the Somali and Yemeni coast next summer. >//>sarcasm alert>//

[hosepipe]

Cruise Ship owners should hire long range snipers(and videographers).. on staff.. when in these Pirate areas.. with enough fire power.. One or two snipers.. could threaten several would-be Pirate cadres..

The video of their work(snipers) would make really profitable DVD's also.. Properly trained and equiped snipers could provide much bodacious entertainment.. The only way it could be better is with on board UAV support.. You know to catch close ups.. from all angles.. The UAV's could carry grenades too.. and/or become Kamikazis..

Indeed the video would sell like hot cakes..
Maybe the snipers would do it for FREE.. just for the video..
Somali Pirates could become very profitable..

[Stoat]

I know it’s millions of square miles of ocean we’re talking about, but it seems to me that suppressing these guys might be a worthwhile (and fun!) mission for some small part of the U.S. Navy. Protecting commercial shipping from piracy is the historical basis fro having a navy, no?

Agreed, and this (forced) edit from the Sky News article brings another question:

British passengers have paid more than £15,000 for the cruise

Live rates at 2008.12.01 16:48:44 UTC
15,000.00 GBP	=	22,250.91 USD
United Kingdom Pounds		United States Dollars
1 GBP = 1.48339 USD		1 USD = 0.674130 GBP

XE.com Conversion - 15,000.00 GBP to USD

How long before well-heeled passengers who can afford a $22K cruise start abandoning the cruise lines and driving them out of business because the cruise companies disclose the defenses of their ships to all, including pirates ?

[Stoat]

Oh dear, and we were planning on sailing the Somali and Yemeni coast next summer. >//>sarcasm alert>//

LMAO

And let me guess....you're making sure to use a cruise company that goes out of it's way to disclose it's defenses to all, so that hijackers and pirates will be sure to know what to expect?

<<<banging furry stoat head on desk

[Ditter]

All the pirates are asking for ear muffs for Christmas. Donch think?

[TC Rider]

I would gladly man a M2 for a cruise passage. Hell, I'd pay for the privilege.

[Stoat]

All the pirates are asking for ear muffs for Christmas. Donch think?

 

[meatloaf]

Someone needs to build a Q ship. Those were naval vessels that were contrived to look like merchant ships. When they got close to a target, the guns were revealed and the mayhem started. A modern version might be a large yacht outfitted with a couple of small gas turbines for faster than normal speed, extended range fuel tanks, concealed lockers for small arms including several .50 BMG rifles, armored critical spaces including engine room, fuel tanks, wheel house, etc. Excellent seakeeping abilities. A communications suite capable of picking up any comms as well as radar, and a long range radar.

You’d need a highly disciplined crew of which most would have to remain inside while allowing decoys to lounge on deck to “paint the picture”. Since what you’re doing could be considered illegal, you’d have to be able to track other shipping in the area to avoid witnesses.

Needless to say if anyone took the bait .... I suspect some consortium would be happy to fund the project.