Piracy Attack Drill

I just found this posted on the cruise junkie website regarding the Emerald Princess, which, according to the bridge cam, is currently enroute to Dubai.

"With increased activity against ships in the region, passengers have been advised of a Piracy Attack Drill as the ship prepares to sail through waters near Yemen (Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean). Problems are not anticipated, but the drill is in the interest of caution. Hopes are the ship will go dark and sail the dangerous Mandib Gap at night."

I don't know about the rest of you, but given the situation in that area, I would not be on a cruise in an area where there was a risk of a pirate attack.

My grandson is in the US Navy and his ship is presently in that area, along with a number of other navy ships that are there to try to assure that ships traveling off the coast of Yemen can do so safely. His ship was actually shot at a couple of weeks ago!

We were on four cruises thru the Indian Ocean and the Horn of Africa in 2010, 2011 & 2012. These were on the Tahitian/Ocean Princess. Each time there was a Pirate Drill before we entered the area frequented by pirates. We usually had war ships (from US, India, South Korea, as I recall) nearby.

We never felt we were in any danger.

I just found this posted on the cruise junkie website regarding the Emerald Princess, which, according to the bridge cam, is currently enroute to Dubai.

 

 

 

"With increased activity against ships in the region, passengers have been advised of a Piracy Attack Drill as the ship prepares to sail through waters near Yemen (Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean). Problems are not anticipated, but the drill is in the interest of caution. Hopes are the ship will go dark and sail the dangerous Mandib Gap at night."

 

 

 

I don't know about the rest of you, but given the situation in that area, I would not be on a cruise in an area where there was a risk of a pirate attack.

 

My grandson is in the US Navy and his ship is presently in that area, along with a number of other navy ships that are there to try to assure that ships traveling off the coast of Yemen can do so safely. His ship was actually shot at a couple of weeks ago!

Huge cruise ship with thousands of people against a few pirates. Yeah I like my odds better lol

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We were booked on that cruise but unfortunately had to cancel.

Was not worried at all about the pirates in the area, and knew that cruise ships were generally escorted, as Paul witnessed on their various cruises.

Huge cruise ship with thousands of people against a few pirates. Yeah I like my odds better lol

 

 

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Not really - most will take the passive route and let it happen.

Tell that to the family of the disabled man who was tossed overboard off a cruise ship back in the 80's. It can happen again. There is no requirement for the Navy to escort ships through the area.

Tell that to the family of the disabled man who was tossed overboard off a cruise ship back in the 80's. It can happen again. There is no requirement for the Navy to escort ships through the area.

The ship: Achille Lauro

The man: Leon Klinghoffer

The date: October 8, 1985

I just found this posted on the cruise junkie website regarding the Emerald Princess, which, according to the bridge cam, is currently enroute to Dubai.

 

"With increased activity against ships in the region, passengers have been advised of a Piracy Attack Drill as the ship prepares to sail through waters near Yemen (Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean). Problems are not anticipated, but the drill is in the interest of caution. Hopes are the ship will go dark and sail the dangerous Mandib Gap at night."

 

I don't know about the rest of you, but given the situation in that area, I would not be on a cruise in an area where there was a risk of a pirate attack.

My grandson is in the US Navy and his ship is presently in that area, along with a number of other navy ships that are there to try to assure that ships traveling off the coast of Yemen can do so safely. His ship was actually shot at a couple of weeks ago!

Due to this very reason.I actually started the Roll Call had been very excited to visit these areas on the itinerary.When I read the increasing troubles in the Middle East I decided a vacation should always be a happy relaxing time.Transferred my booking to to bringing The Emerald back to West Coast from Sydney the peaceful way via Pacific Islands,Hawaii,LA to Vancouver.BC.:)

Tell that to the family of the disabled man who was tossed overboard off a cruise ship back in the 80's. It can happen again. There is no requirement for the Navy to escort ships through the area.

Never understood why piracy does not get the death penalty any more. Best way to stop it.

I was also originally booked on this cruise and canceled for a number of reasons.

A US warship was attacked a day or so ago off the coast of Yemen. Fortunately, the missile missed. To be honest, if I were on the cruise I'd be concerned no matter how many times others have sailed without incident. A missile is much more threatening than pirates.

Not really - most will take the passive route and let it happen.

The problem is the pirates are the ones with weapons, all we might have is steak knives

Huge cruise ship with thousands of people against a few pirates. Yeah I like my odds better lol

Although I do agree with you on this, but some of these pirates have been born and bred for this their whole life they are dangerous. If everyone were to step up at the same time we would win, but probably not without them getting a few of us first. As for missiles....that is a game changer.:eek:

I would not be on a cruise in an area where there was a risk of a pirate attack.

So you're saying that you're never going to cruise again? There's risk EVERYWHERE. Wherever you are, a nuclear missile could launch now and land on top of you in <15 minutes. A car could drive into the building you're in. A bus could run you over on the sidewalk. A tornado could whisk you off a barren field. Fact is: life is to be lived, so go live it.

While the possibility of pirates boarding a cruise ship are somewhat slim, due to the high freeboard, the use of "missiles" (most likely a rocket propelled grenade, which any dirtbag with a couple thousand bucks can get anywhere in the world) can cause some damage. Remember the Seabourn ship that was hit by an RPG from close range, and the folks in the cabin where it hit and penetrated were not even hurt. RPG's are designed to take out small targets like tanks and personnel carriers, but can do little real damage to a large ship.

Having said that, the use of the convoy system in the area is a very effective countermeasure, and basically the "pirate drill" should be to go to your cabin or congregate in public spaces for accountability.

Cruise ships also have various means of defense. Sonic projectors, high-pressure water hoses, their sheer size and speed... I wouldn't be surprised if there were also small arms aboard.

Cruise ships also have various means of defense. Sonic projectors, high-pressure water hoses, their sheer size and speed... I wouldn't be surprised if there were also small arms aboard.

You bet there are!

Cruise ships also have various means of defense. Sonic projectors, high-pressure water hoses, their sheer size and speed... I wouldn't be surprised if there were also small arms aboard.

Cruise ships also have various means of defense. Sonic projectors, high-pressure water hoses, their sheer size and speed... I wouldn't be surprised if there were also small arms aboard.

When I questioned the security officer about the subject at a lunch their response was emotionless. They preferred to not talk about the subject.

When I questioned the security officer about the subject at a lunch their response was emotionless. They preferred to not talk about the subject.

That is because the ship's ISPS Code (International Ship and Port Security) plan is a restricted document. About the only officers onboard the ship that know the entire Security Plan are the Captain, Staff Captain and Senior Security Officer. Everyone else is told simply what their duties are, and the responses to various scenarios are hidden from the crew to an extent.

When I questioned the security officer about the subject at a lunch their response was emotionless. They preferred to not talk about the subject.

It's not so much preference as it is requirement. Security is not something they can discuss. Loose lips...

The ship: Achille Lauro

The man: Leon Klinghoffer

The date: October 8, 1985

Was there on a Navy ship heading for them.

That is because the ship's ISPS Code (International Ship and Port Security) plan is a restricted document. About the only officers onboard the ship that know the entire Security Plan are the Captain, Staff Captain and Senior Security Officer. Everyone else is told simply what their duties are, and the responses to various scenarios are hidden from the crew to an extent.

It's not so much preference as it is requirement. Security is not something they can discuss. Loose lips...

I didn't really expect an answer but since I had an opportunity to ask I figured why not.

Never understood why piracy does not get the death penalty any more. Best way to stop it.

I took a law class where I asked the professor why child molesters don't automatically get the death penalty. The professor said when people are looking at the death penalty they may be more inclined to do exponentially more desperate things. Just a thought. :(

I took a law class where I asked the professor why child molesters don't automatically get the death penalty. The professor said when people are looking at the death penalty they may be more inclined to do exponentially more desperate things. Just a thought. :(

Perhaps but piracy kind of died out for many years when pirates were caught and hung.

In our current world we are treating piracy much too leniently. But that is just my opinion.

So you're saying that you're never going to cruise again? There's risk EVERYWHERE. Wherever you are, a nuclear missile could launch now and land on top of you in <15 minutes. A car could drive into the building you're in. A bus could run you over on the sidewalk. A tornado could whisk you off a barren field. Fact is: life is to be lived, so go live it.

There can be freak accidents but certain areas of this world are more vulnerable than others.Especially the actual known incidents in the area are factual.

In your case to each his/her own I guess.

Myself pleased I cancelled that cruise just the same.:D