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Posted on 12/01/2008 12:09:59 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
A luxury cruise ship carrying scores of British passengers has come under attack from Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden.
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.
British passengers have paid more than £15,000 for the cruise.
The ship's last call was in Sagafa, Egypt. She is due to arrive at Salalah, Oman, on Monday.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.sky.com ...
“The six-star ship was carrying American, British and Australian passengers on a 32-day cruise from Rome to Singapore.
British passengers have paid more than £15,000 for the cruise.
The ship’s last call was in Sagafa, Egypt. She is due to arrive at Salalah, Oman, on Monday.”
I am sorry but since the pirates have been operating out in the open for awhile now, who in their right mind would take a luxury cruise that would put them within striking distance of those terrorists?
“Now playing on the weather deck: Pirates of the Arabian Sea”.
They paid for an adventure, and they got one. My suggestion: next time issue small arms and RPGs to the passengers - they'll enjoy it!
They will only slaughter the civilians which the EU,
UN, NATO, etc want slaughtered — and have long tolerated.
This story has to be fake. Americans on a luxury cruse? I thought our economy sucked and we all where broke?
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