Pirates on the high Seas

[joeyancho]

As it once was explained to us by the Captain of the Caribbean Princess, If you were a pirate, which ship would you try to attack, one with 10 to 20 crew members, or one with 3,000 or so crew, and passengers who would fight back?:rolleyes:

 

Which ship would you rather take, the one with 3000 hostages or 10?

[hoya68]

We were on the Seabourn Spirit in 2008 the year after it was attacked and sailed through the same waters. We had a French Corvette escorting us and had about 18 heavily armed French Marines on board and machine guns mounted on both sides of the ship. When they boarded from their Zodiacs the marines were a tough, unsmiling group. When they left the ship several days later the passengers gave them several cases of champagne (the French navy is not dry) and they were full of smiles and happily posed for pictures.

 

Interestingly, the ship's lecturers who had written a book about the 17th century pirate William Dampier were not allowed to lecture on that book. Also, the daily ship newspaper never had a story about pirate attacks, although if you watched CNN or BBC in your cabin, pirate attacks were the lead story on most nights of the cruise.

 

Quite an interesting cruise.

[AmazedByCruising]

What a laugh! Passengers who would fight back. :D:D

 

Actually passengers do show some serious bravery when pirates are about to spoil their vacation.

 

But the pirates were repelled by other passengers who throwing tables and chairs at them forcing them back to their boats. Israeli security guards travelling on the ship killed two of them.

 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/piracy/5366128/Cruise-passengers-fought-off-pirates-with-deckchairs.html

[TracieABD]

Just telling you this was a serious breach of the ship's Security Plan under ISPS (International Ship and Port Security) Code.

 

 

 

Actually, it is up to the flag state to determine whether a ship may lawfully carry arms (not all do), then it is up to the company's insurance coverage as to whether it is allowed, and finally, it is up to the port state as to what needs to be done in regards to declaring arms, how many are allowed, and what needs to be done with them in territorial waters. Back in 2013, India detained a US flag ship that was owned by a private security firm and was involved in maritime security in the area, for not declaring the arms onboard.

 

Here is a link to what the various flag states' laws and regulations are:

 

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjL1qb705bRAhWj3YMKHdTdCn8QFggaMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ics-shipping.org%2Fdocs%2Fdefault-source%2FPiracy-Docs%2Fcomparison-of-flag-state-laws-on-armed-guards-and-arms-on-boardD6805E4B3E6A.pdf%3Fsfvrsn%3D0&usg=AFQjCNGPhjDqkFKPR0iQDFu6Dqq_2rDsAw

 

Thank you for this information! You always provide the best updates!:)

[sfaaa]

Which ship would you rather take, the one with 3000 hostages or 10?

 

The one that features pizza pirate.

[Aquahound]

I've been told by a security officer in Alaska that there are weapons onboard in a locked cabin and room. Many of the security officers are former special services from the army or navy.

 

I just want to confirm...a security officer on a Princess ship told you this?

[chengkp75]

I just want to confirm...a security officer on a Princess ship told you this?

 

Now, Paul, don't get yourself into "investigative" mode. :D

 

But I agree, a fairly serious breach of ISPS.

Edited December 28, 2016 by chengkp75

[Aquahound]

Now, Paul, don't get yourself into "investigative" mode. :D

 

Always looking for informants. :D;)

[Av8tor]

From the title of this thread, I thought you were talking about cruise line executives trying to squeeze every penny out of us that they can!! :D

[kruisey]

From the title of this thread, I thought you were talking about cruise line executives trying to squeeze every penny out of us that they can!! :D

Then that is the same for big business all over the world also on dry land.

Even many CC members are shareholders.........;)

I can guarantee my question was about pirates who fight withe firearms not dollars and cents.

[RotaryMike]

for some reading on this topic, google "Cruise law news" articles by Atty. James M Walker , some of his articles include:

 

Are cruise ships equipped to handle bomb threats on the high seas ?

 

Terror on the high seas

 

and

The Achille Lauro Hijacking - lessons in the politics and prejudice of terrorism

by Michael K Bohm

 

Maritime Security: Varied action taken to improve cruise ship security (GAO)

 

the Achille Lauro hijacking was in 1985 !

many cruisers weren't even born then !!

 

But, 5:00 pm is approaching , i think i'll have another drink !!

Edited December 29, 2016 by RotaryMike

[Aquahound]

for some reading on this topic, google "Cruise law news" articles by Atty. James M Walker , some of his articles include

 

I don't ever recommend reading articles by Jim Walker. He's an alarmist ambulance chaser who makes his living suing cruise lines.

[shredie]

I don't ever recommend reading articles by Jim Walker. He's an alarmist ambulance chaser who makes his living suing cruise lines.

 

The man has a reputation for spinning the news about cruising to fit his legal business (which is suing cruise lines) so he should be read with that grain of salt.

[RotaryMike]

oops, sorry, i didn't know or think of that.

no offense to my friends in the legal field, but the saying goes :

One lawyer can starve in a small town, but two can make pretty good livings!

[Lucky TGO]

I'd like to see a MUTS triple feature: Titanic, Captain Phillips and The Posiedon Adventure.

 

Wow are you in luck that the triple feature on the Rowboat on New Year's Eve.

Please bring your own Popcorn. We only have that free Princess Champagne :eek:. We scare the Pirates away by showing Rambo moves on Monday nights.

From the Rowboat Captain,

Tony

[elliair]

What a laugh! Passengers who would fight back. :D:D

Maybe if you cut in front of them in line at the buffet. :rolleyes:

 

That's true and especially with so many elderly people on board. Passengers would be hysterical. Think about all the money and jewelry on board a cruise ship, it would be a prime target for piracy. I'll take my chances and not book a cruise where it could possibly take place. Ever cruised out of San Francisco? Two Coast Guard boats escort us out beyond the Golden Gate a bit. There's fire power on the front of each boat that would put some hurts on someone attempting to get any where near the ship. We've seen them go after wind surfers and pleasure boats that get too close. The Coast Guard likes to show off too. :D

[floridalover5623]

That's true and especially with so many elderly people on board. Passengers would be hysterical. Think about all the money and jewelry on board a cruise ship, it would be a prime target for piracy. I'll take my chances and not book a cruise where it could possibly take place. Ever cruised out of San Francisco? Two Coast Guard boats escort us out beyond the Golden Gate a bit. There's fire power on the front of each boat that would put some hurts on someone attempting to get any where near the ship. We've seen them go after wind surfers and pleasure boats that get too close. The Coast Guard likes to show off too. :D

 

It's mostly show for the passengers when close to the home port.

What would happen at sea would be completely different I'm sure.

[nanabananna]

As it once was explained to us by the Captain of the Caribbean Princess, If you were a pirate, which ship would you try to attack, one with 10 to 20 crew members, or one with 3,000 or so crew, and passengers who would fight back?:rolleyes:

 

 

I sure like this response. I might would even make friends with an inside cabin too!

I just like to think this could happen, but I will pray it never does. :)

[chengkp75]

It's mostly show for the passengers when close to the home port.

What would happen at sea would be completely different I'm sure.

 

It's mostly so they don't use the ship like they used airplanes on 911, while in US ports. Typically, when there is an armed escort boat, there are armed Sea Marshals from the USCG onboard, 2-3 on the bridge, 1-2 in the ECR, and one in steering. Sometimes it gives the passengers a startle when the Captain offers a meal in the buffet to the Coasties, and they show up with an M-16 slung over their back, and a Beretta on their hip.

[donaldsc]

Rest assured that Princess security dept. will not discuss any facet of their counter-piracy measures. Counter measures may include but not be limited to firearms, LRAD (Long Range Acoustic Device)technology, evasion etc.

 

It is just that some people are not happy if they can not find something to worry about.

 

DON

[Cruiserkenn]

OP - another thought on the movie:

 

When Captain Phillips was still relatively new, I saw it on MUTS. (New to DVD, that is.). The audience was packed, but even more interesting was that many crew members were hanging out on the sidelines, watching, too. They gasped and moaned and cheered, along with the passengers. It was a fantastic, multicultural, multi-ethnic, multiple-nationality experience.

 

I treasure this memory.

[Aquahound]

It's mostly show for the passengers when close to the home port.

 

No, it most certainly is not.

[sfaaa]

It's mostly show for the passengers when close to the home port.

.

 

More than a show. The M240 on those Defender class boats is loaded and manned. Only a fool would want to mess with them.

[elliair]

It's mostly show for the passengers when close to the home port.

What would happen at sea would be completely different I'm sure.

 

Yes, but it's still amusing watching them do donuts in the sea during the sail away party.:D

[elliair]

More than a show. The M240 on those Defender class boats is loaded and manned. Only a fool would want to mess with them.

 

Dittos to that. I mentioned that above when I said no one better mess with them. The coast guard guy is always on that gun. Thirty-four more days to see the Coast Guard show again!:eek:

Edited December 30, 2016 by elliair