Do cruise ships get attacked by pirates?

In today’s world, if we think of pirates, we probably think of those in the “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies. But modern-day pirates don’t look anything like the fictitious characters in the splashy movies. 

 

Depending on the location of the cruise ship, it’s possible that it could get attacked, but the chances of a pirate attack on a cruise ship are very slim. That being said, it doesn’t mean that it is zero.  

 

Pirate Attacks on Cruise Ships

 

There have been some pirate attacks on cruise ships in areas off the coast of northeastern Africa, Malaysia, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Sudan.  

Most of the pirate attacks are committed in the Singapore Straits and off the coast of Peru. The Gulf of Aden, the Somali Coast and the Amazon River are also places that tend to see pirate activity.

 

While there have been no successful pirate attacks on cruise ships in the past ten years (since 2024), there were six reported attempts, with the pirates interested in valuables and cash. 

 

One of the most read about instances involved the Seabourn Spirit in 2005. They were 100 miles off the coast of Somalia when pirates attacked.  The Spirit was able to repel the attack by speeding away from the pirates. The ship sustained minor damage, but no one was injured. 

 

The 12th Nautical Mile

Pirate attacks on the high seas have declined over the years, but they still cost the global economy billions every year. 

Waters around the world become international water past the 12th nautical mile of territorial jurisdiction. When an act such as robbery occurs past this 12th nautical mile, it is considered an act of piracy. In today’s world, pirates tend to attack cargo vessels and oil tankers. 

 

Planning For All Contingencies

There are no official regulations with which cruise lines must comply if they are confronted with pirates attacking. If your ship happens to be sailing through an area where pirates could be present, the captain of the ship may require all curtains to be closed, outdoor lights turned off and may even require passengers to stay inside during this time. 

 

While, as was mentioned, there are no official regulations you can rest assured that all cruise lines will have their own precautions and tactics for dealing with the situation. 

Just as cruise lines plan for weather-related or rescue emergencies, they plan and train as if an attack might take place. Officers and crew will rehearse elements of the plan, just as they practice rescues.

No reputable cruise line is going to outline their strategies, or even divulge that there are strategies in place. 

Cruise lines also know that early detection, if there is an attack, is the most effective deterrent. They have tools that afford advance warning, like low-light binoculars, radar that detects small crafts, night vision and barbed wire on board.

 

Water cannons, which are high pressure hoses, can be used to repel boats and make the attempt to board very difficult. Speeding up and traveling in a zig-zag pattern that creates a wake difficult for smaller boats to maneuver in, can also be used.

 

 Final Thoughts 

While the possibility of a pirate attack on a cruise ship is not zero, it is highly unlikely. Today’s modern ships are capable of great maneuvering and avoidance tactics. 

The captain will be fully trained in counter methods and the crew will also be trained and prepared. Both ship and crew would be up to the task should, even though remote, such an incident take place.