Commodore Warner's Announcement Re: Piracy

[Whitemarsh]

Attacking the QM2 would be like firing a pea shooter at an elephant.

 

Would an attack on the QM2 would be so difficult as to make it not viable? Presumably, grappling hooks are the way they'd get on board.

 

Is that how they took the Achille Lauro?

[Jimsgirl]

Believe in the case of Achille Lauro, they came aboard as passengers with the guns etc in their luggage, of course that was before x ray machines and sniffer dogs.

 

However we all know that a determined terrorist is a very cunning person. From personal experience I can say that being prepared not just for a possible event but also prepared to defend ones ground (yes even with deadly force) is the only way.

 

I think it interesting that Cmdr Warner is the one to issue the plan, Cunard HO have been very silent on the situation. It is also interesting in light of a previours posting of mine where I wrote of his willingness to take responsiblilty. He does do more than "Drive the ship"

[thranite]

I think it interesting that Cmdr Warner is the one to issue the plan, Cunard HO have been very silent on the situation. It is also interesting in light of a previours posting of mine where I wrote of his willingness to take responsiblilty. He does do more than "Drive the ship"

 

It is his job to take responsibility.

 

T

[capnpugwash]

With the height of the freeboard on QM2, combined with the available speed, I think that a direct assault is unlikely to succeed. Having said that I would volunteer to operate the steam hose.

[BlueRiband]

Though it will never be admitted, the reason the QM2 passangers have to duck into the hallways is to keep out of the way of flying bullets. They don't want anybody leaning over a balcony or porthole with that going down. Most pirate attacks take place an night from astern, with grapling hooks used to board vessels.

 

"These pirates are fearless because they have grown up in a culture where nobody expects to live long. Pirate cells often consist of 10 men with several ratty, roach-infested skiffs... The skiffs are generally used to launch attacks on slightly larger crafts... In turn, they use the new ship to take a larger vessel, and then another, working up the food chain... In this way, over the years, Somali pirates have graduated to attacking oil tankers and container ships; the bigger the vessel, the higher the ransoms, which the pirate confederations can then invest in more sophisticated equipment." (Robert Kaplan, NY Times Op-Ed 4/11/09)

[William Dean]

PortFever, please trust me on this: Cunard does not scrimp on security.

 

And just what knowledge, rather than simple assumption, qualifies you to make this statement?

 

WD

[Boytjie]

Glad to hear you had a good time. Friends recently returned from Cape Town (not on a cruise). They did not have a good time in Cape Town.

 

Wow, I wonder what happened. It is such a lovely city. We had 7 wonderful days there in March. Full disclosure: I am a SA/USA dual citizen ;)

[The Real PM]

Well, I just wonder if going to Dubai is really necessary anyway. It seems to be a pretentious, garish and over-done port that attracts the same kind of people, people who are very different from the average Cunard passenger who takes pride in their understated, but elegant demeanor.

 

It seems if there is even a chance that pirates attack the ship that it would and should be an easy port to exclude.

[capnpugwash]

Well, I just wonder if going to Dubai is really necessary anyway. It seems to be a pretentious, garish and over-done port that attracts the same kind of people, people who are very different from the average Cunard passenger who takes pride in their understated, but elegant demeanor.

 

It seems if there is even a chance that pirates attack the ship that it would and should be an easy port to exclude.

 

I couldn't agree more, I cannot understand the attraction that it seems to have, 110 degrees in the day and 95 degrees at night, horrible. And all those cranes with no work to do.

[rafinmd]

I couldn't agree more, I cannot understand the attraction that it seems to have, 110 degrees in the day and 95 degrees at night, horrible. And all those cranes with no work to do.

 

Actually, I agree with the sentiment about Dubai, but see more problems than advantages in bypassing it. I think it's pretty much necessary as an segment transition point, and the waters near Dubai are not really a problem; it's either the North Africa coast of the Suez southern approach that are difficult.

 

Roy

[capnpugwash]

Actually, I agree with the sentiment about Dubai, but see more problems than advantages in bypassing it. I think it's pretty much necessary as an segment transition point, and the waters near Dubai are not really a problem; it's either the North Africa coast of the Suez southern approach that are difficult.

 

Roy

 

Roy, apologies for not expressing myself better, my comments were about Dubai as a holiday destination, I have no problem with calling there on a cruise. As you say it is a city where there are both crew and passenger changes. After all you have to stop somewhere!

[PortFever]

It was superb in every way -- had a fabulous time....and absolutely loved Cape Town!! Am returning there next year, but not sure when I will return to the Queen Mary 2 -- hopefully soon.

 

dc-farer ... apologies if my earlier comments took your thread off on a "Guns-n-Ammo" tangent :)

 

Hope your next QM2 experience is sooner rather than later.

 

David.

 

PS. As you are also an avid Princess cruiser, thought you might enjoy this unusual "ghost ship" video we recorded earlier in the week :

No pirates appear or were hurt in the making of this film! :)

[safarigal]

The same procedure was followed last year on the QM2 world cruise. The practise drill was interesting ( met our cabin neighbours while sitting in the ahllway!)

We had visits from several navy ships from the escort patrols and felt perfectly safe.

Tom

As I recall last year there was some issue with the cards in some passengers' cameras after the navy escorts blasted QM2 with something? Does anyone else remember this, or is it just part of a Milky Way Martini effect?

[dc-farer]

dc-farer ... apologies if my earlier comments took your thread off on a "Guns-n-Ammo" tangent :)

 

Hope your next QM2 experience is sooner rather than later.

 

David.

 

PS. As you are also an avid Princess cruiser, thought you might enjoy this unusual "ghost ship" video we recorded earlier in the week :

No pirates appear or were hurt in the making of this film! :)

 

No problem, David -- I strayed further off topic than you did.

 

Thanks for that great video (loved the audio, too!!) The first ship I ever set foot on was the Grand Princess, out of Port Everglades. She also carried me safely through the worst weather I've ever experienced at sea (hurricane force winds off the coast of Greenland), so she has a special place in my heart!!

 

Donna

[PortFever]

Thanks for that great video (loved the audio, too!!) The first ship I ever set foot on was the Grand Princess, out of Port Everglades. She also carried me safely through the worst weather I've ever experienced at sea (hurricane force winds off the coast of Greenland), so she has a special place in my heart!!

 

Donna

You are very welcome Donna. Quite a coincidence that it happened to be the Grand Princess!

 

The first ship I ever set foot on was the Crown Princess out of Port Everglades. Not the current Crown... the one before that !!

 

Worst weather? Undoubtedly and unexpectedly... Windstar in the Med. 50mph winds and 30ft seas. The photo below is of the Wind Spirit which we were on... taken from the bridge of the Wind Surf.

 

 

As this is a Cunard thread and I have yet to enjoy their hospitality... I will refrain from any more reminiscing about other ships and lines. :)

 

David.

[room010]

We sailed with Regent up through SE Asia last month where pirate activity around Malaysia and the Philippines isn't unheard of. Precautions appeared to be some high pressure hoses laid out on the promenade deck and a couple of crew members in engineering overalls and orange flouro vests marked "Security" carrying walkie talkies keeping watch from various vantage points. No announcements were made and no instructions to passengers on what to do in the event of an attack, although 'old hands' confirmed the proceedure is to sit in the corridors away from windows and presumably the flying bullets.

 

I also noticed that the open parts of the aft 'crew only' lower decks had heavy wire screens placed over them, presumably to deter grappling hooks?

 

I got the distinct impression from various "wink-wink" conversations that most cruise ships have more effective means to deter unwanted boarders than a few water hoses but won't discuss it (obviously). In the event we didn't see any suspicious vessels.

[Salacia]

And just what knowledge, rather than simple assumption, qualifies you to make this statement?

 

WD

 

A nod is as good as a wink to a blind man.;) -S.

[Salacia]

You are very welcome Donna. Quite a coincidence that it happened to be the Grand Princess!

 

The first ship I ever set foot on was the Crown Princess out of Port Everglades. Not the current Crown... the one before that !!

 

Worst weather? Undoubtedly and unexpectedly... Windstar in the Med. 50mph winds and 30ft seas. The photo below is of the Wind Spirit which we were on... taken from the bridge of the Wind Surf.

 

 

As this is a Cunard thread and I have yet to enjoy their hospitality... I will refrain from any more reminiscing about other ships and lines. :)

 

David.

 

Hi David, speaking only for myself, I enjoy reading about other ships and lines. From what I've read on this Cunard blog, many others share that interest. Thanks for posting the photo, although I did get a bit queasy after viewing it :eek::) Regards, S.

[William Dean]

A nod is as good as a wink to a blind man.;) -S.

 

Meaning that you know nothing, but assume a lot?

 

WD

[capnpugwash]

Meaning that you know nothing, but assume a lot?

 

WD

 

Ah, William; I see that you are on another charm offensive. :)

[rafinmd]

Hi David, speaking only for myself, I enjoy reading about other ships and lines. From what I've read on this Cunard blog, many others share that interest. Thanks for posting the photo, although I did get a bit queasy after viewing it :eek::) Regards, S.

 

I agree. Can I try to relate this to the Cunard forum? My last time on Wind Surf (Rome-Barcelona), I came back home on QM2 after a short local flight.

 

Roy

[Underwatr]

A bit of googling indicates that the QM2 is equipped with a Long Range Acoustic Device as a boarding deterrent.

[Slow Foxtrot]

A bit of googling indicates that the QM2 is equipped with a Long Range Acoustic Device as a boarding deterrent.

 

A short-range Cruise Missile would surely have a more dramatic effect?

[Ray66]

A bit of googling indicates that the QM2 is equipped with a Long Range Acoustic Device as a boarding deterrent.

 

They used that when we were on the QM2 in 2009. I think it was when we were leaving Brest.

 

[thranite]

They used that when we were on the QM2 in 2009. I think it was when we were leaving Brest.

 

 

It's always deployed in port.

 

T