Piracy Attack Drill

[clearwaters]

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.

 

But, risk has reasonable limits.

 

For example, the plane that crashed in the Cerritos, California neighborhood a few years ago could have gotten us. We live under the LAX flight path, which is not too far away and shares the LA Basin skies with Cerritos (about 25 miles from our house). But the risk is reasonable for me. We have lived in this house 58 years. So far, so good.

 

Traveling in the Middle East is NOT reasonable, to me. That is an unreasonably huge calculated risk increase, imo. Two of my friends are taking a cruise to Dubai soon. To each his/her own...

 

Frankly, no one could pay me to go on a cruise in those waters.

Edited October 11, 2016 by clearwaters

[chengkp75]

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.

 

Not really the case. The pirates in the Horn of Africa and the Straits of Malacca have been operating for hundreds of years' date=' or in the case of the Horn of Africa, since long before Christ. The only difference is better weaponry available to them, and instantaneous world-wide communication advertising their actions. Piracy is still rampant, and has been for decades [b']inside the harbor in Rio de Janeiro.[/b]

[CruzVinnieCruz]

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.

 

 

It was a whole different world when that incident occurred. Not saying that it could not happen again but I don't believe passengers would ever be that passive again post 9/11.

 

Airline crews were trained to be passive pre 9/11 when hijacked since most hijackings would usually involve either money or some political agenda. Most ended with the passengers released unharmed.

 

Does anyone believe in today's world if someone stood up on a airplane with any type of weapon that the passengers would not immediately involve themselves?

 

I believe the same would happen on a cruise ship to some extent given that ships are much larger and the flight response may kick in first.

 

Take,

Vinnie

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[clearwaters]

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.

 

I agree with you.

[Micahs Grandad]

Not really the case. The pirates in the Horn of Africa and the Straits of Malacca have been operating for hundreds of years, or in the case of the Horn of Africa, since long before Christ. The only difference is better weaponry available to them, and instantaneous world-wide communication advertising their actions. Piracy is still rampant, and has been for decades inside the harbor in Rio de Janeiro.

 

Thanks for sharing.

 

I am more familiar with piracy in the Caribbean which seems to have died out.

 

Still think that the only way to rid the world of this scourge is to make sure they understand the penalty for piracy.

[Potstech]

It was a whole different world when that incident occurred. Not saying that it could not happen again but I don't believe passengers would ever be that passive again post 9/11.

 

Airline crews were trained to be passive pre 9/11 when hijacked since most hijackings would usually involve either money or some political agenda. Most ended with the passengers released unharmed.

 

Does anyone believe in today's world if someone stood up on a airplane with any type of weapon that the passengers would not immediately involve themselves?

 

I believe the same would happen on a cruise ship to some extent given that ships are much larger and the flight response may kick in first.

 

Take,

Vinnie

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

 

Keep thinking that as it may or may not happen. Yes the world has changed since then but is it for the better or is it safer? Are people that much braver when faced with modern weapons and they are only armed with "steak knives"? I hope to never find out and will avoid these areas as much as possible.

[clearwaters]

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.

 

Keep thinking that as it may or may not happen. Yes the world has changed since then but is it for the better or is it safer? Are people that much braver when faced with modern weapons and they are only armed with "steak knives"? I hope to never find out and will avoid these areas as much as possible.

 

Don't worry about some areas... the U.S. Navy has some big, ugly, scary subs out there, too. You see them every once in a while on the Fort Lauderdale/Port Everglades webcam. They have goodness only knows what advanced defense systems on them.

[Hlitner]

Had to smile at the OP's post. If one wants to look for a reason they can probably find a good reason not to go anywhere or do anything. As confirmed travelers (we will have spent nearly 7 months of 2016 out of our country) we have little concern about pirates....other then the ones who work on cruise ships and try to separate passengers from their money :).

 

The OP might want to give consideration to the chance that a meteor would hit a moving cruise ship, And there is always the chance of Blue Ice if one sits outside in a deck chair. Ouch.

Hank

Edited October 11, 2016 by Hlitner

[paul929207]

A few years ago a pirate ship attacked a French naval vessel. (They did not realize it was on). It did not work out well for the pirates.

[Micahs Grandad]

A few years ago a pirate ship attacked a French naval vessel. (They did not realize it was on). It did not work out well for the pirates.

 

Guess you dont need an IQ test to join the pirates union:)

[Shogun]

Hi All

 

The last time I saw a pirate drill,

 

it was black out ship,

 

cruise at full speed,

 

lock down all out side decks, doors etc,

 

increased watches,

 

if attacked folks in out side cabins to move into hallways or inside areas of ship.

 

crew had defence duties

 

yours Shogun

[Alaskan Joe]

But, risk has reasonable limits.

 

For example, the plane that crashed in the Cerritos, California neighborhood a few years ago could have gotten us. We live under the LAX flight path, which is not too far away and shares the LA Basin skies with Cerritos (about 25 miles from our house). But the risk is reasonable for me. We have lived in this house 58 years. So far, so good.

 

Traveling in the Middle East is NOT reasonable, to me. That is an unreasonably huge calculated risk increase, imo. Two of my friends are taking a cruise to Dubai soon. To each his/her own...

 

Frankly, no one could pay me to go on a cruise in those waters.

 

Well said my friend.

[Alaskan Joe]

a few years ago a pirate ship attacked a french naval vessel. (they did not realize it was on). It did not work out well for the pirates.

 

guess you dont need an iq test to join the pirates union:)

 

rotflmao

Edited October 11, 2016 by Alaskan Joe

[MandD]

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.

 

Yes, but that wasn't pirates. It was Palestinian terrorists off the coast of Egypt.

[Brisbane41]

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

 

I have always wondered that. All it takes is a warship to blow them out of the water and sooner rather than later the pirates will give up when they realise they all die. The world has gone soft. In WWII the allies showed no mercy when dealing with the enemy in some situations. U-boats were sank on sight. It is a shame a pirate boat cant be sunk on site. Then again with the UN and rules of engagement they need to be in uniform and holding weapons and pointing them at you before you can attack them. In Afghanistan the enemy would put down their guns and pike up farm tools and rules of engagement said that special forces could not take them out. Sad isn't it when the military cannot police things anymore.

 

I just found this posted on the cruise junkie website regarding the Emerald Princess' date=' 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![/quote']

 

I do not intend to cruise to that area ever while there are problems. There are a lot of hate filled evil people in that part of the world who would rather see our society destroyed and nothing will stop their hate towards a culture where there is so much freedom as we have.

 

My personal thoughts on the piracy muster drills is that they could be a waste of time for passengers. If passengers are ordered to their muster stations then congratulations should be in order for the cruise ship for mustering all the hostages in one easy to get area should the pirates board. Easiest weapon against them is disbursement as it puts them off guard.

[Potstech]

Yes, but that wasn't pirates. It was Palestinian terrorists off the coast of Egypt.

 

And the real difference is? When someone comes on the ship with guns and threatens passengers they are terrorizing people.

[Potstech]

Don't worry about some areas... the U.S. Navy has some big, ugly, scary subs out there, too. You see them every once in a while on the Fort Lauderdale/Port Everglades webcam. They have goodness only knows what advanced defense systems on them.

 

And what will they do, fire a torpedo or a cruise missile at a cruise ship? Not gonna happen. Submarine are not set up to rescue ships from pirates or terrorists. 20 years in the Navy several working with submarine sailors gave me a little knowledge of their capabilities.

[clearwaters]

And what will they do, fire a torpedo or a cruise missile at a cruise ship? Not gonna happen. Submarine are not set up to rescue ships from pirates or terrorists. 20 years in the Navy several working with submarine sailors gave me a little knowledge of their capabilities.

 

Okay.

[jamesr3939]

What do you think retired SOF do? Some of those people on your cruise ship might not be JUST passengers, sort of like that airline passenger with the bulge under his jacket.

 

I am guessing they have more than steak knifes and small arms.

[kruisey]

Hi All

 

The last time I saw a pirate drill,

 

it was black out ship,

 

cruise at full speed,

 

lock down all out side decks, doors etc,

 

increased watches,

 

if attacked folks in out side cabins to move into hallways or inside areas of ship.

 

crew had defence duties

 

yours Shogun

A wonderful cruise was had by all :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

[Micahs Grandad]

I have always wondered that. All it takes is a warship to blow them out of the water and sooner rather than later the pirates will give up when they realise they all die. The world has gone soft. In WWII the allies showed no mercy when dealing with the enemy in some situations. U-boats were sank on sight. It is a shame a pirate boat cant be sunk on site. Then again with the UN and rules of engagement they need to be in uniform and holding weapons and pointing them at you before you can attack them. In Afghanistan the enemy would put down their guns and pike up farm tools and rules of engagement said that special forces could not take them out. Sad isn't it when the military cannot police things anymore.

 

 

 

 

And you also go to their home base and destroy their ships where they are docked. We are too sensitive as might hurt someones feelings.

[Micahs Grandad]

And what will they do, fire a torpedo or a cruise missile at a cruise ship? Not gonna happen. Submarine are not set up to rescue ships from pirates or terrorists. 20 years in the Navy several working with submarine sailors gave me a little knowledge of their capabilities.

 

I would hope they could buy some time until a warship could come and take command of the situation

[elliair]

This cruise law website brings up some valid points. It's highly unlikely I would take a cruise anywhere near where terrorism can't be secured.

 

http://www.cruiselawnews.com/2016/01/articles/terrorism-1/is-your-cruise-ship-prepared-for-a-terrorist-attack/

[elliair]

Originally Posted by Shogun

Hi All

 

The last time I saw a pirate drill,

 

it was black out ship,

 

cruise at full speed,

 

lock down all out side decks, doors etc,

 

increased watches,

 

if attacked folks in out side cabins to move into hallways or inside areas of ship.

 

crew had defence duties

 

yours Shogun

 

Don't forget to pack some Depends!:eek:

[Potstech]

What do you think retired SOF do? Some of those people on your cruise ship might not be JUST passengers, sort of like that airline passenger with the bulge under his jacket.

 

I am guessing they have more than steak knifes and small arms.

 

 

You are absolutely right You are guessing.