Captain Phillps

I have been wanting to go to the cinema to watch Captain Phillps since it came onto the screen.  Me and the hubby decided to go last night, and what a fantastic movie.  You can’t go wrong with a film starring Tom Hanks and once again he was great.  It’s based on a true story, when in 2009 Somali pirates hijacked the US flagged MV Maersk Alabama, the first American cargo ship to be hijacked in 200 years.

The ship was sailing from Oman with cargo through the Gulf of Arden to Mombasa.  Wary of Pirate activity, the ship is left to sail alone and unarmed, not going to say anymore about it don’t want to spoil the film if you haven’t watched it.  What it did do though was open my eyes to how these pirates operate and what security cruise ships offers while sailing through these waters.  These pirates are part of a big organisation, well funded and well organised with access to heavy weapons.  They travel in open motorised skiffs, working with larger ships that tow then far out to sea, they have an intimate knowledge of the local waters and also communication equipment.  To get on board they go as close to the ship as they can and then use ladders, a highly dangerous way but this is what they have been sent to do, some pirates can be as young as 17, they will only attack the most profitable vessels, carrying supplies and sometimes large amounts of money.  Cruise ships are too high a risk for them. There are too many people on board for them to be able to take control of the ship.

After doing a little research on security for cruise ships I found the following – Cruise ships are required to have “acoustic hailing and warning devices” in certain high risk areas.  These devices emit a high pitched noise that is directed toward approaching vessels and causes intense pain to the ears of the vessels occupants.  Unfortunately, some cruise lines are not in compliance with this new law which was passed in 2010.

In 2005 the luxury Seabourn Spirit was attacked.  2 speedboats full of pirates began to board the cruise ship, security battled them off with a water hose, the pirates did respond but with the bravery of the officers the passenger and crew were saved.  Although the story ended happily and the passengers continued with their cruise it is clear that these pirates can and will do anything for money.  The Balmoral has also been under attack.

My parents have also watched this film and they have admitted it will certainly make them think twice before debating on a cruise that takes them into dangerous waters.