Pirate attacks on cruise ships are relatively rare, but they remain a threat no cruise ship operator should ignore.
In this post we will list some examples of cruise ship piracy, before exploring how you can prevent pirate attacks and keep your vessel and your passengers safe.
How Common Are Pirate Attacks Against Cruise Ships?
Though pirate attacks against cruise ships do happen, they are relatively rare. Pirates are unlikely to target cruise ships for a number of reasons. They are large, they travel at high speeds, and they tend to travel through waters that are patrolled by naval forces. Plus, cruise ships tend to have advanced radar systems, meaning they would be able to detect any approaching pirates with ease.
In addition, pirates know that cruise ships tend to have multiple anti-piracy systems onboard, which would make an attack too risky. In 2011, the Spirit of Adventure was approached by pirates off the coast of Tanzania. The pirates seemed to observe the ship, but they left before taking any action. A spokesperson later said that, most likely, the pirates thought better of attacking once they got a good look at the ship’s security systems.
But pirates can be opportunistic. And if they suspect that a cruise ship will be unable to defend itself, they may attempt an attack. This is why all cruise ship operators should put measures in place to prevent and respond to pirate attacks, no matter how low the risk may be.
Examples of Cruise Ship Pirate Attacks
- The hijack of an Italian cruise ship, the MS Achille Lauro, with with 97 passengers and hundreds of crew on board.
Find out more about the Achille Lauro hijacking, Mediterranean Sea, 1985 - The pirate attack of the Seaborn Spirit cruise liner, with 300 crew and passengers targeted off the Somali coast.
Find out more about the Seabourn Spirit, Somalia, 2005 - The attack on a German cruise ship sailing from Eygpt to Dubai with 492 passengers and a number of crew.
Find out more about the MS Astor, Gulf of Oman, 2008 - The pirate attack of an Italian cruise ship with almost 1,000 passengers on board, resulting in gunfire.
Find oure more about the MSC Melody, Somalia, 2009
The pirates’ motives and methods varied in each of these cases. But usually when it comes to cruise ships, pirates will attempt to hijack the ship, using the passengers and crew as hostages.
However, most pirate attacks against cruise ships tend to be thwarted before the pirates can even get onboard. This means it is hard to gauge the pirates’ motivations: Whether they wanted to take control of the ship, or simply to steal valuables from guests.
How Do Cruise Ships Protect Themselves and Passengers Against Pirates?
Crew and Passenger Drills
Everyone onboard should know exactly what steps to take in the event of piracy. You can arrange for specialist training for your crew, and you can outline your piracy response procedures as part of your mandatory passenger safety drills.
Safety Procedures
When sailing through waters where there is a risk of a pirate attack, cruise ships should temporarily move all outdoor activities indoors. They should also aim to darken the ship’s lights at night, to make them less of a visible target for pirates.
In the event of an attack, all passengers should stay below decks, ideally in their cabins with their doors locked, until further notice.
Detection and Communication
Cruise ships should make use of their advance radar systems to detect potential piracy attacks as early as possible. You should also stay in constant communication with all other ships in the area, including the naval forces, and notify them of any emerging risks.
If all the ships in a body of water coordinate in this way, pirates will find it harder to approach vessels without warning, and to isolate vulnerable vessels for attack.
Onboard Deterrents
Cruise ships often make use of water cannons and acoustic weaponry to ward off attacks. During the attack on the MSC Melody in 2009, crew members also used pistols that were stored onboard to deter a pirate attack.
Certain maritime officials criticised this approach, saying that non-lethal weaponry would have been just as effective. Any cruise ship using live ammunition will need to ensure that all onboard firearms are registered, and that only trained and authorised crew members have access to them.
Is Your Cruise Ship Covered For The Risks of Piracy?
If your cruise ship will be travelling through a location with a risk of piracy, then you must ensure that your maritime insurance covers you for the increased risk. Your policy should include war risk insurance, which can protect against losses from acts of piracy, along with kidnap and ransom insurance (K&R) for you, your crew, and your passengers.
Everard Insurance Brokers is the specialist marine division of accredited Lloyd’s broker James Hallam Limited. We can help you secure comprehensive protection against piracy and related risks, to help you respond effectively to any incident at sea.