The pirates made another failed attempt to board a cruise ship--this time an MSC ship off the Seychelles. They actually got as far as putting a ladder on the ship. But water hoses and armed (yes, armed) guards foiled them. See http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/piracy

As the story indicates, the weapons are a new twist. I remember a security officer on the Navigator saying, when we had been in the same area, that it is not considered safe for the crew to be armed.

I understand the security was Israeli. Wouldn't want to mess with them

Israeli and Gurkha guards aren't afraid to defend their ships.Maybe new rules need to be enacted.

Hard to believe they would try to board an MSC ship, the ones I have seen are monsters.....big!

I'm with Diane, wouldn't want to mess with Israeli security, for good reason. They were on the Voyager going through the "difficult" area at a reduced speed b/c of the pod problem, and I felt safe for the passengers onboard. I think they did, too, from the accounts I have read

Hard to say what the "new" rules should be now that they are becoming a nuisance for cruise ships. Several years ago when I was on Silversea going through the Straits of Malaaca, captain got on speaker and told us we were in danger zone, but they didn't bother cruise ships because there were too many crew onboard to object! Then a few months later, the Seabourn problem

I still can't figure out how they can hurl up a ladder to get on a ship that large. Surely a well positioned hose would throw them back into the water, with or without guns!

Bomb the Mother Ships and I bet that would put an end to it.

jhp -- ref your comment: "Hard to believe they would try to board an MSC ship, the ones I have seen are monsters.....big!"

The ship involved in this accident was the MSC Melody. It looked like an older, smaller ship in the photo I saw. What I was able to find out on-line: It was built in 1982 and holds 1,064 pax. It was formerly Premier Cruise Line's Starship Atlantic.

LOL - The Big Red Boat, as I recall. We had a deal with them years ago for our Looney Tunes characters. Ahhh...the memories...

That was the first cruise ship I was on. It was then owned by Home Lines. It is realtively small, 33,000 gross tons.
Lynn

As a "passenger on board" the Voyager, I felt safe too.

The young men were on the ship over Passover and were included in the Seder . . . .

Heres a pic sent out by MSC head Office in Naples.


"Sent to me by my friend at MSC who received it from MSC Head Office in Naples.

Melody proceeding to the Gulf of Aden with Spanish warship escort.
Great shot....and amazingly calm waters ! "

Amazing shot David - up to your usual standard!

Not mine Lee,
Just sharing with LCT
what was sent to me.
Some shots
are just too good not to share.

Super photo, clear & crisp. Once again thanks for sharing! :app:

Our very first cruise ship experience was on the big red boat. It turned us off cruising for years.