MSC MelodyItalian Cruise Ship Beats Off Pirate Attack -- Yahoo News/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 Sunday. Skip related content
Pirates also freed a Yemeni-owned tanker, the Sea Princess II, Sunday, a Kenyan maritime official that monitors growing piracy off Somalia told Reuters.
Commander Ciro Pinto of the MSC Melody, which has a capacity of 1,500 passengers and crew, said his ship was slightly damaged by firing from the pirates.
The ship came under attack when it was 200 miles (320 km) north of the Seychelles and 600 miles (960 km) off the Somali coast. "They started firing like crazy at the ship," he told Italian television Skytg24.
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My Comment: The Kenyan official who criticized the Cruise ship for having weapons to protect themselves and their 1500 passengers from Somali pirates .... pirates who did not hesitate to fire their AK-47s at the ship indiscriminately .... should be fired immediately.
If the MSC Melody did not have firearms, there would (right now) be a massive hostage incident on the high seas endangering scores of lives and causing havoc for many families. The crew of the MSC Melody should be credited for their heroism and bravery .... not criticized.
1 comment:
ALL ships in that area should be armed with weapons superior to those of the pirates and use them. The ships owners have an obligation to protect all people and cargo on board.
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