Modern Day Pirates

I don’t know about you but I found it really irritating to read about pirates trying to hijack a cruise ship off the coast of Yemen this past weekend. If you didn’t see this in the news, this is what happened: the Nautica, of Oceania Cruises, a 30,000 ton vessel was sailing off the coast of Yemen when two small crafts tried to over-take the ship but were unsuccessful. Luckily, the Captain took evasive measures and was able to out-run the pirates who were trying to attack the cruise ship. It is reported that one of the small boats was able to get within 300 yards of the Nautica and fired gun shots at the ship. This attack is similar to what is happening to other ships in the area as these pirates try to over-take the ships and then hold them for ransom.

I find this very disturbing that these modern day pirates are also attacking cruise ships even when they’re sailing in oceans patrolled and supposedly protected by anti-piracy patrol groups. After all, do you remember the Achilles-Laurel hijacking?

I do!!

I would not take a cruise now or in the immediate future if it even comes close to this area. If the international waters of this area is “suppose to be protected,” yet this is what happens then I say, FORGET IT!! I can find some where better and a lot safer to cruise. And I certainly wouldn’t want anything like this to interrupt my cruise vacation. Would you? I don’t think it’s worth it.

So what would you do in the event (and irregardless of where you’re sailing) — if a group of these modern day pirates tried to attack your cruise ship? Would you worry profusely? Or would you trust the Captain and the crew to know what to do and handle everything?  Take my poll and let’s see.

Dr Kruz Nutty