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NAIROBI, Kenya–A U.S. cruise ship with more than 650 well-heeled passengers aboard spotted Somali pirates approaching in speedboats and gunned its engines to outrun its pursuers.
The six raiders in two boats fired rifles to no effect at the M/S Nautica, which was sailing in the Gulf of Aden, northeast of Somali waters, en route to Oman.
The attack took place Sunday in the pirate-infested sea corridor being patrolled by international warships, officials said yesterday.
"It is very fortunate the liner managed to escape," said Noel Choong at the International Maritime Bureau's piracy centre in Malaysia.
The ship operator, Miami-based Oceania Cruises Inc., said on its website that the pirates fired eight shots at the liner.
"When the pirates were sighted, the captain went on the PA system and asked passengers to remain in the interior spaces," said Tim Rubacky at Oceania. "Within five minutes, it was over."
The 656 passengers and 399 crew were unscathed and Rubacky said the ship will make its return voyage through the Gulf of Aden.
The Nautica is on a 32-day cruise from Rome to Singapore. Based on its schedule, it was sailing from Egypt to Oman when attacked.
The UN Security Council has extended for another year its authorization for countries to enter Somali waters and use "all necessary means" to stop piracy.
About 100 attacks – 40 of them successful – have been made on foreign ships off Somalia this year. The pirates still hold 14 of those.
Yesterday, a spokesperson said the pirates have struck a ransom deal for a Ukrainian ship seized with 33 battle tanks aboard, and it will be freed in the next two days.
