Green Energy
Imagine, you finally get to take that trip of a lifetime. The one you saved and scrimped for. You're out on the beautiful blue waters, lounging by the pool, drinking your cocktail and you look up in time to see, PIRATES.
You know damn well they weren't planning their own version of Pirates of Penzance.
NAIROBI (Reuters) - An Italian cruise ship used guns and a firehose to beat off an attack by pirates off the east African coast, the vessel's captain said on Sunday.
Commander Ciro Pinto of the MSC Melody, which has a capacity of 1,500 passengers and crew, said the ship was slightly damaged by firing from the pirates.
The ship came under attack when it was 200 miles north of the Seychelles and 600 miles off the Somali coast. "They started firing like crazy at the ship," he told Italian television Skytg24.
Pinto said pistols were handed out to security staff and they opened fire on the pirates when they tried to clamber up the sides of the ship.
"They tried to put up a ladder with hooks. They were climbing up, so we reacted. We started firing. When they saw us firing -- we even sprayed them with water with the firehose -- they gave up and went off," Pinto said.
The sea gang followed the Melody for another 20 minutes, firing at it all the while, Pinto said.
"The passengers meanwhile were inside the cabin. There are no injuries. Only two people with scrapes," the captain said. "Someone slipped, fell. Just a few light scrapes."
Although the ship's action may have saved the Melody from capture, a Kenyan maritime official that monitors the growing piracy off Somalia said it only endangered the lives of passengers.
"Having weapons on a passenger or merchant ship is dangerous. They should have used other means to shake off the pirates, like a loud acoustic device," said Andrew Mwangura of the Mombasa-based East African Sea Farers Assistance Prog ram.
He was referring to a device that can produce a deafening sound to deter pirates when directed toward their vessel.
"Only military ships should have weapons on board."
Oh please! With 3,000 plus ships attacked by pirates each year, I think the added protection of weapons, has become necessary.
IF, I were to take the risk and go out on a cruise ship in dangerous waters, I would expect my crew to be able to protect me.
Loud acoustic devices can be used, just like the fire hoses were. But, keep the guns!
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Green Energy
Pirates - 0 MSC Melody - 1
Imagine, you finally get to take that trip of a lifetime. The one you saved and scrimped for. You're out on the beautiful blue waters, lounging by the pool, drinking your cocktail and you look up in time to see, PIRATES.You know damn well they weren't planning their own version of Pirates of Penzance.
NAIROBI (Reuters) - An Italian cruise ship used guns and a firehose to beat off an attack by pirates off the east African coast, the vessel's captain said on Sunday.
The ship came under attack when it was 200 miles north of the Seychelles and 600 miles off the Somali coast. "They started firing like crazy at the ship," he told Italian television Skytg24.
"They tried to put up a ladder with hooks. They were climbing up, so we reacted. We started firing. When they saw us firing -- we even sprayed them with water with the firehose -- they gave up and went off," Pinto said.
The sea gang followed the Melody for another 20 minutes, firing at it all the while, Pinto said.
Although the ship's action may have saved the Melody from capture, a Kenyan maritime official that monitors the growing piracy off Somalia said it only endangered the lives of passengers.
He was referring to a device that can produce a deafening sound to deter pirates when directed toward their vessel.
"Only military ships should have weapons on board."
Oh please! With 3,000 plus ships attacked by pirates each year, I think the added protection of weapons, has become necessary.
IF, I were to take the risk and go out on a cruise ship in dangerous waters, I would expect my crew to be able to protect me.
Loud acoustic devices can be used, just like the fire hoses were. But, keep the guns!
- Is Justice Private?
Somali pirates have increasingly been attacking international ships in the past few years, and though there have been few deaths of civilians, there is some large concern over the safety of ship crews and the need for commerce to continue in the world...
- Somali Pirates Vow To Hunt Down, Kill Americans
From AP: (AP) - Somali pirates vowed to hunt down American ships and kill their sailors and French forces detained 11 other brigands in a high-seas raid as tensions ratcheted up Wednesday off Africa's volatile eastern coast.Pirates fired grenades...
- Breaking: Somali Pirates Seize Us Vessel
CNN and FOX are reporting that a US-flagged cargo vessel, the Maersk Alabama, on route to Kenya, has been captured by Somali pirates off the African coast. Crew of 21, all Americans. Obambi going to refer that to the UN, is he? UPDATE FROM PASTORIUS:...
- Cutting Off Money To Somali Jihadis
"Warships from the U.S. Navy and the Russian Navy arrested 26 suspected pirates off Somalia in separate operations this week, while a maritime watchdog warned on Friday that attacks are stepping up as weather improves and pirates look to replenish their...
- U.s. Destroyer Watching Hijacked Ship Off Somalian Coast
Men are dying - Skin burns - hair falling out - sounds like possible radiation poisoning. We reported on that the other day. It had been reported that the ship was an Iranian ship. Now, we are told it is a Ukranian ship. The Russian military is also...