We have a strange attitude to pirates in the modern world. We’ve seemed to adopt an attitude of glamorisation, mainly due to the influence of the media. It’s not a recent thing caused by Cap’n Jack Sparrow, though Johnny Depp’s infamous character is certainly part of the phenomena. No, it’s something that’s been happening for years.
But there are still pirates out there and, to the best of my knowledge, they aren’t the dashing anti-heroes with a tortured moral compass that we see these days in film or on TV. They are dangerous, ruthless and seeking to make gain from any ships they can get their hands on.
It’s probably a good idea, before I continue, that I clear something up – there is nothing to worry about when it comes to pirates when you’re on a cruise ship. If there was even the slightest hint of any real danger, I wouldn’t be writing this blog.
Cruise ships have been attacked by pirates in recent years, but firstly it’s only happened a couple of times and every time it has been, quite easily, fended off. Cruise ships these days are extremely well equipped to deal with any kind of attack and there have been no reported injuries, even mild ones, when a pirate crew have tried to attack.
Some of the tools that cruise ships have access to are quite interesting, and it depends on the situation as to which they use. Laser technology exists that can dazzle people, even causing flash blindness, from up to 2.5miles away. Flares can be fired to distract and drive away attackers, while anyone getting within a certain distance can look forward to extremely powerful, extremely accurate water cannons.
Pirates do still exist, but they aren’t any real threat to a cruise ship. So when you see anyone ranting about the dangers of the seas, don’t let it put you off a holiday.
photo by Jenn Durfey
By Ian Lewis
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