Latest news with #LePonant
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Yahoo
‘We are under attack by pirates. Please stay in your cabin': The threat to cruise ships that refuses to go away
Piracy on the high seas sounds like something from a bygone era, but the menace of armed robbery is still a very real threat in certain parts of the world. The menace posed to cruise ships in particular hit the headlines recently when holidaymakers aboard Cunard's Queen Anne were told to turn off their cabin lights and avoid outside decks as they sailed through a notorious area of the Philippines. An announcement on board, recorded and shared by TikTok user @lilydapink, said: 'This area is known for piracy threats, therefore we will be operating at a heightened level of security alertness. In the unlikely event of an emergency, a broadcast will be made by the bridge.' In the past, cruise ships have been attacked and even boarded – during one such incident, passengers tried to fight off armed pirates themselves by throwing furniture. But is the lingering danger real, and how do cruise ships prepare for it? There have been six reported attacks on cruise ships since 2005. Le Ponant was boarded was off the coast of Somalia in 2008, as was the MSC Melody in 2009; Seabourn Spirit was fired upon in the same waters in 2005; in 2008, Nautica was fired upon in the Gulf of Aden; Saga's Spirit of Adventure was threatened when pirates closed off the coast of Tanzania in 2011; and in 2012, several small boats approached Azamara Journey off the coast of Oman. French sailing ship Le Ponant was boarded by pirates off the coast of Somalia in 2008. The 32-cabin vessel was carrying 30 crew but no passengers. A French frigate and a helicopter from a Canadian warship were sent to track the yacht. The hostages were later released, unharmed, after the payment of a £2 million ransom. France then mounted a commando raid on the mainland to capture the kidnappers, who were put on trial in Paris. Four of the Somali pirates received sentences ranging from four to 10 years. The vessel continues to sail for Ponant. The waters off Somalia, Indonesia and the Singapore Straits became more dangerous for merchant shipping in 2024 than the previous year, contributing to the 116 piracy incidents – more than two a week – reported worldwide to the International Maritime Bureau. Other incidents took place in Bangladesh, the Gulf of Guinea, Colombia and Guyana. In all, 94 vessels were boarded, there were 13 attempted attacks, six vessels were hijacked and three fired upon. The number of crew taken hostage rose from 73 in 2023 to 126 last year and guns were used in 26 attacks. None of the vessels were carrying passengers and no cruise ships were involved. Set up in 1981, initially to combat fraud at sea, the IMB now deals with international piracy from its base in Wapping, east London – appropriately close to Execution Dock, where Scottish buccaneer Captain William Kidd was hanged in 1701. The non-profit-making organisation tracks all cases of piracy (defined as being on the open seas), as well as armed robbery (in territorial waters). Threats to shipping vary from thefts from vessels in port to kidnap and ransom of crew. The bureau can also broadcast radio warnings to ships during live incidents. In November 2008, Jason Gelineau was the general manager on board Oceania ship Nautica in the Gulf of Aden when he heard 'Mr Skylight, contact reception' – the line's codeword for pirate activity. Two skiffs were approaching the bow and stern of the ship, firing into the air. Captain Jurica Brajcic took immediate action by starting a zig-zag manoeuvre to create a wake that would capsize the boats if they came close. Meanwhile, security – mostly ex-military personnel from India or Israel – who were on a 24-hour watch, had water cannons set up on both port and starboard sides, and were setting up long-range acoustic devices installed on the bridge wings. 'The captain, usually a very stoic person, was shaking,' Mr Gelineau said afterwards. 'He told me the skiffs had come as close as 300m, then stopped and turned towards a cargo ship sailing in the opposite direction.' Donna Meads-Barlow was on MSC Melody with her husband and three children off the coast of Somalia in April 2009 when the cruise director announced: 'We are under attack by pirates. Please stay in your cabin, keep the curtains shut and the lights out. Please don't panic, help is on its way.' Mrs Meads-Barlow gathered her sleeping children from another cabin and prayed as she heard banging and shouting during the night. 'We could hear a heck of a commotion going on outside in the corridors of our cabin', she recounted, 'and what was even more scary was that we didn't know if the pirates had boarded and taken control of our ship… We lay there for hours and held hands so tight that we almost cut off circulation.' When she and her husband Brian ventured out the next morning, they found windows shattered by bullets. 'People were everywhere, talking and pointing and just outside the Blue Ribard Bar, at exactly the lounge chairs we were sitting at the previous night, was a shattered window with a huge bullet hole through it.' It transpired that eight pirates wearing balaclavas had tried to board the ship and opened fire with AK-47 rifles. Security guards fired eight shots into the air and let off two emergency flares to scare them away while some of the 1,200 passengers took matters into their own hands and hurled tables and chairs down at them. 'It was like war,' Captain Ciro Pinto recounted the following day. A Spanish warship eventually arrived to escort MSC Melody from the area. Cyrus Mody, the IMB's deputy director, was surprised to read the report about Queen Anne as, even in Somalia, pirate attacks are markedly reduced compared to the worst years of 2008-2012 and 2021-22. Rather, he regards the whole of south-east Asia – including Indonesia and the Philippines – as of minimal risk for cruise ships. 'The only point of access to the vessel I would visualise is from the stern and when a cruise ship is under way she's churning up a lot of water behind, so getting to her would be a task,' he said. 'Unlike merchant vessels, cruise ships are also very well enclosed so are much more difficult for a robber to board. 'Then there's the sheer number of people around. To hijack a vessel you need to get command of the bridge – and the pirates would have to get up 17 decks or so to get there. Plus cruise ships have their own security.' The threat is now minimal, but over the last few decades, there have been various precautions that ships have taken. Rosanna Ivkovic was a hostess on Fred Olsen's Black Watch during a five-month world cruise in 2014. 'When we were approaching the Somalia region, a specialist team came on board,' she says. 'Barbed wire was installed around the railings of the ship, as well as water cannons, and we had armed specialists on constant watch. We spent a day at sea rehearsing how we should act if pirates came aboard with passengers being allocated 'safe' areas in corridors away from windows and exterior doors.' In 2005, crew on Seabourn Spirit used a water hose and sonic weapon to repel pirates who fired machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades at the ship. Six years later, hundreds of passengers on Saga's Spirit of Adventure who had just sat down to a formal dinner were ordered below deck when pirates closed in off the coast of Tanzania. A spokesperson for industry body CLIA said: 'Our members prioritise safety and security in all their operations and closely monitor planned routes, including working closely with global security experts and government authorities. 'Cruise lines also have the unique ability to adjust routes and itineraries if needed in the best interest of passengers and crew. Cruise lines have maintained an exceptional safety record thanks to ongoing intensive training, vigilance and response plans, which include a strong coordinated approach across the maritime sector and with international bodies.' A Cunard spokesperson said of the Queen Anne story: 'As part of standard maritime procedures, our captains may make precautionary announcements when sailing through certain regions. There was no specific threat to the ship or its guests, and our onboard experience remained uninterrupted.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
03-04-2025
- Telegraph
‘We are under attack by pirates. Please stay in your cabin': The threat to cruise ships that refuses to go away
Piracy on the high seas sounds like something from a bygone era, but the menace of armed robbery is still a very real threat in certain parts of the world. The menace posed to cruise ships in particular hit the headlines recently when holidaymakers aboard Cunard's Queen Anne were told to turn off their cabin lights and avoid outside decks as they sailed through a notorious area of the Philippines. An announcement on board, recorded and shared by TikTok user @lilydapink, said: 'This area is known for piracy threats, therefore we will be operating at a heightened level of security alertness. In the unlikely event of an emergency, a broadcast will be made by the bridge.' @lillydapink I didn't know there were pirates around this area. We are crossing from Darwin to Manila #cruisetok #cunard #fyp ♬ original sound - cruisegypsyuk@lillydapink In the past, cruise ships have been attacked and even boarded – during one such incident, passengers tried to fight off armed pirates themselves by throwing furniture. But is the lingering danger real, and how do cruise ships prepare for it? How many cruise ships have been attacked by pirates? There have been six reported attacks on cruise ships since 2005. Le Ponant was boarded was off the coast of Somalia in 2008, as was the MSC Melody in 2009; Seabourn Spirit was fired upon in the same waters in 2005; in 2008, Nautica was fired upon in the Gulf of Aden; Saga's Spirit of Adventure was threatened when pirates closed off the coast of Tanzania in 2011; and in 2012, several small boats approached Azamara Journey off the coast of Oman. Has a cruise ship ever been successfully hijacked? French sailing ship Le Ponant was boarded by pirates off the coast of Somalia in 2008. The 32-cabin vessel was carrying 30 crew but no passengers. A French frigate and a helicopter from a Canadian warship were sent to track the yacht. The hostages were later released, unharmed, after the payment of a £2 million ransom. France then mounted a commando raid on the mainland to capture the kidnappers, who were put on trial in Paris. Four of the Somali pirates received sentences ranging from four to 10 years. The vessel continues to sail for Ponant. How common are attacks on ships in general? The waters off Somalia, Indonesia and the Singapore Straits became more dangerous for merchant shipping in 2024 than the previous year, contributing to the 116 piracy incidents – more than two a week – reported worldwide to the International Maritime Bureau. Other incidents took place in Bangladesh, the Gulf of Guinea, Colombia and Guyana. In all, 94 vessels were boarded, there were 13 attempted attacks, six vessels were hijacked and three fired upon. The number of crew taken hostage rose from 73 in 2023 to 126 last year and guns were used in 26 attacks. None of the vessels were carrying passengers and no cruise ships were involved. What is the International Maritime Bureau? Set up in 1981, initially to combat fraud at sea, the IMB now deals with international piracy from its base in Wapping, east London – appropriately close to Execution Dock, where Scottish buccaneer Captain William Kidd was hanged in 1701. The non-profit-making organisation tracks all cases of piracy (defined as being on the open seas), as well as armed robbery (in territorial waters). Threats to shipping vary from thefts from vessels in port to kidnap and ransom of crew. The bureau can also broadcast radio warnings to ships during live incidents. What happens when pirates make an attack on a cruise ship? In November 2008, Jason Gelineau was the general manager on board Oceania ship Nautica in the Gulf of Aden when he heard 'Mr Skylight, contact reception' – the line's codeword for pirate activity. Two skiffs were approaching the bow and stern of the ship, firing into the air. Captain Jurica Brajcic took immediate action by starting a zig-zag manoeuvre to create a wake that would capsize the boats if they came close. Meanwhile, security – mostly ex-military personnel from India or Israel – who were on a 24-hour watch, had water cannons set up on both port and starboard sides, and were setting up long-range acoustic devices installed on the bridge wings. 'The captain, usually a very stoic person, was shaking,' Mr Gelineau said afterwards. 'He told me the skiffs had come as close as 300m, then stopped and turned towards a cargo ship sailing in the opposite direction.' What's it like to be in an attack? Donna Meads-Barlow was on MSC Melody with her husband and three children off the coast of Somalia in April 2009 when the cruise director announced: 'We are under attack by pirates. Please stay in your cabin, keep the curtains shut and the lights out. Please don't panic, help is on its way.' Mrs Meads-Barlow gathered her sleeping children from another cabin and prayed as she heard banging and shouting during the night. 'We could hear a heck of a commotion going on outside in the corridors of our cabin', she recounted, 'and what was even more scary was that we didn't know if the pirates had boarded and taken control of our ship… We lay there for hours and held hands so tight that we almost cut off circulation.' When she and her husband Brian ventured out the next morning, they found windows shattered by bullets. 'People were everywhere, talking and pointing and just outside the Blue Ribard Bar, at exactly the lounge chairs we were sitting at the previous night, was a shattered window with a huge bullet hole through it.' It transpired that eight pirates wearing balaclavas had tried to board the ship and opened fire with AK-47 rifles. Security guards fired eight shots into the air and let off two emergency flares to scare them away while some of the 1,200 passengers took matters into their own hands and hurled tables and chairs down at them. 'It was like war,' Captain Ciro Pinto recounted the following day. A Spanish warship eventually arrived to escort MSC Melody from the area. Is there any real threat of piracy to cruise ships? Cyrus Mody, the IMB's deputy director, was surprised to read the report about Queen Anne as, even in Somalia, pirate attacks are markedly reduced compared to the worst years of 2008-2012 and 2021-22. Rather, he regards the whole of south-east Asia – including Indonesia and the Philippines – as of minimal risk for cruise ships. 'The only point of access to the vessel I would visualise is from the stern and when a cruise ship is under way she's churning up a lot of water behind, so getting to her would be a task,' he said. 'Unlike merchant vessels, cruise ships are also very well enclosed so are much more difficult for a robber to board. 'Then there's the sheer number of people around. To hijack a vessel you need to get command of the bridge – and the pirates would have to get up 17 decks or so to get there. Plus cruise ships have their own security.' What precautions do cruise ships take? The threat is now minimal, but over the last few decades, there have been various precautions that ships have taken. Rosanna Ivkovic was a hostess on Fred Olsen's Black Watch during a five-month world cruise in 2014. 'When we were approaching the Somalia region, a specialist team came on board,' she says. 'Barbed wire was installed around the railings of the ship, as well as water cannons, and we had armed specialists on constant watch. We spent a day at sea rehearsing how we should act if pirates came aboard with passengers being allocated 'safe' areas in corridors away from windows and exterior doors.' In 2005, crew on Seabourn Spirit used a water hose and sonic weapon to repel pirates who fired machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades at the ship. Six years later, hundreds of passengers on Saga's Spirit of Adventure who had just sat down to a formal dinner were ordered below deck when pirates closed in off the coast of Tanzania. What do the cruise lines say? A spokesperson for industry body CLIA said: 'Our members prioritise safety and security in all their operations and closely monitor planned routes, including working closely with global security experts and government authorities. ' Cruise lines also have the unique ability to adjust routes and itineraries if needed in the best interest of passengers and crew. Cruise lines have maintained an exceptional safety record thanks to ongoing intensive training, vigilance and response plans, which include a strong coordinated approach across the maritime sector and with international bodies.' A Cunard spokesperson said of the Queen Anne story: ' As part of standard maritime procedures, our captains may make precautionary announcements when sailing through certain regions. There was no specific threat to the ship or its guests, and our onboard experience remained uninterrupted.'
USA Today
10-02-2025
- USA Today
A different way to travel: What it's like to sail Panama, Costa Rica
A different way to travel: What it's like to sail Panama, Costa Rica Show Caption Hide Caption How cruise tourism could help and hurt Alaska's environment Although Alaskans rely on revenue tourism cruise ships bring in, some locals are raising concerns on the impact of tourism on Alaska's environment. A Panama Canal cruise offers travelers a chance to experience one of the world's most impressive engineering feats while enjoying the natural beauty of Central America. The Smithsonian Journeys and Le Ponant partnership provides travelers with small-ship cruises that prioritize responsible tourism and immersive cultural experiences. Expert-led excursions and lectures enhance the cruise experience, offering insights into the history, culture, and biodiversity of Panama and Costa Rica. Everyone gathered on deck, not minding the hot Panamanian sun beating down, to experience a bucket list item: crossing the Panama Canal. We started the day in the Atlantic Ocean and were in the Pacific Ocean by dinnertime. The night before, passengers aboard my ship, Le Bellot, were buzzing about the long-awaited event – the excitement was palpable. I knew before embarking on the January sailing of the Panama and Costa Rica by Sea: The Natural Wonders of Central America – a cruise offering by the French small-ship cruise operator Le Ponant in partnership with Smithsonian Journeys – that transiting through what's considered one of the world's most impressive engineering feats would be worthwhile. However, my experience on the trip gave me a deeper understanding of why it rightfully captured everyone's attention. The day prior, I attended a lecture by former diplomat and U.S. Navy officer Hugh Neighbor, one of two Smithsonian Journeys experts on my trip, about the history and significance of the canal. During an onshore excursion at the Biomuseo in Panama City, I learned why the country's unique geographical shape as an isthmus made it the perfect place to connect two oceans. This intimate yacht-style cruise immersed in the vibrancy of Panama and Costa Rica with an emphasis on responsible tourism – a cornerstone of the five-year-old partnership between Le Ponant and Smithsonian Journeys, the travel program of the Smithsonian Institution. It's the perfect antidote for cruisers looking to escape the crowds and massive ships without giving up relaxation or a beautiful tropical setting. These types of expedition and exploration cruises are quickly rising in popularity, with a 71% increase in passengers between 2019 and 2023, according to the Cruise Lines International Association. "We hope people come back from these trips having learned more than they could (have) imagined about the destination and the people in the destination … that's our No. 1 goal," said Walter Littlejohn, Smithsonian Journeys' senior vice president of travel. 'What is our limit?': How cruise ships are impacting Alaska's environment Why Panama and Costa Rica? If you're looking at warm-weather destinations, Panama and Costa Rica may fly under your radar compared to the ever-popular Caribbean. Both Central American countries are home to incredible biodiversity, offering both wild jungles and stunning beaches. When bird-watching in Quepos, Costa Rica, with a family-run tour company, I quickly saw scarlet macaws and toucans before we even reached the site. They're also easily accessible from the U.S., with flights from Panama and Costa Rica typically ranging from three to six hours. What is it like to cruise with Ponant and Smithsonian Journeys? The six-day voyage on Le Bellot balanced education with leisure. Some nights were a caviar tasting in the main lounge and drinks in the Blue Eye lounge, a bar situated a few meters below sea level with portholes to watch marine life pass by. Onshore excursions consisted of docking in a remote, undeveloped region of Darien National Park to meet the Indigenous Embera people and wandering Panama Viejo – archaeological ruins from 1519 and a World UNESCO Heritage Site. It wasn't just about learning all the time. We also had a beach and snorkeling day, enjoying the pristine warm waters at Cayos Holandeses, an island in the San Blas archipelago – Panama's version of Hawaii. On this day, we were the only ship docked, allowing us to enjoy the island without dealing with any crowds or feeling like we were overwhelming the community. Throughout the trip were lectures by Neighbor and Dr. Oris Sanjur – the other expert onboard who is the deputy director of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) in Panama and a Panamanian herself – on topics such as marine conservation research and Costa Rican culture. "This expands horizons and allows people to get to know science from a different perspective, and they're engaged to become share with others," said Sanjur. Not only did the experts provide lectures, but guests could reserve dinner with them or have chat with them in the lounge. "You can go by yourself, for example, to some of these destinations, but you may not understand the backstory, the history," said Littlejohn, who added that every Smithsonian Journeys trip has at least one expert who went through an intensive vetting process. "All of these folks have a level of insight into these destinations that an average guide simply cannot deliver." Smithsonian Journeys also infuses its longstanding relationships with research organizations worldwide into its Ponant cruises. One day, I toured STRI to learn more about its scientific work, like protecting whales from ships entering the canal, and spotted several sloths and iguanas on property. The Panama and Costa Rica cruise starts at $6,420 per person for a double occupancy room, with excursions, food, and most drinks included in the cost. Close up and personal with nature: What to expect from visiting the Galapagos A greener way to cruise All Smithsonian Journeys' trips are deeply rooted in sustainability and small group experiences, and its cruises with Ponant are no different. The ships are small – mine held up to 184 passengers – and focus on minimizing its impact, from how the ship runs to the places we visited. "Wherever we do go, we have a smaller footprint, smaller presence in the destination so it allows the destination to retain its character in a more meaningful way, protect its environment in a more meaningful way," Littlejohn said. Ponant's entire fleet holds the CLEANSHIP certification, recognizing a commitment to low environmental impact through the use of cleaner diesel and strict waste traceability measures. Set to launch this year, the company's 14th ship will sail entirely off biofuel and wind and water propulsion. Next year, the two travel entities will have 36 sailings together – including more expedition-style cruises – from the popular Antarctica and Greek islands, along with some new destinations like Madagascar and the Seychelles and Indonesia.
