Firearms for the crew

[snoodqueen]

 

During the recent Cunard "3 Queens" visit to Liverpool, we watched the crew unfurl this warning banner on the QM2 as she pulled into port. No idea what would have happened had anyone got too close!

 

With my eyesight I'd have to get up a lot closer than 50 metres to even see the sign! By then I might have been in big trouble!:eek:

[sfaaa]

I doubt most pirates can read English signs and banners.

[nukesubsailor]

I would think that a cruise ship would have more to fear from radical Islamic terrorists than from Somali pirates. Remember the USS Cole.

[SoCal Cruiser78]

I would think that a cruise ship would have more to fear from radical Islamic terrorists than from Somali pirates. Remember the USS Cole.

 

I would think so, too, especially on cruiselines based in the US.

Edited June 21, 2015 by SoCal Cruiser78

[bigmjh]

Cruise ships do not carry firearms. If they did, in many countries they would be considered a "military vessel" and there are VERY strict regulations governing foreign military vessels in their territorial waters.

[iceleven]

OK, I'll take the bait. How often does the security staff practice with these hoses? Without drills (has anyone every seen one?) how can a cruise ship be sure the equipment is even working or that anyone is skilled in using them?

 

 

Shipboard security plans, under ISPS regulations, are secure documents that even the vast majority of the crew are not allowed to see. So, the general public will never know what is in place or not.

 

Most security officers are either retired law enforcement or military, and the security staff are the same. NCL does hire Ghurkas for their security staff. Security staff are not, however, specially trained anti-terrorist operators.

 

Even a simple 2-1/2" fire hose will provide enough force, if used correctly, to knock someone off their feet and cause severe bruising. The water coming out of the hose is at 225 pounds per square inch, so even accounting for pressure loss over distance, its like an entire NFL offensive line tackling you directly in the chest. The specialized water cannons are even more effective.

[sfaaa]

You can't stop a ISIS suicide boat loaded with explosive using water cannon. Light em up is the only way.

[Colo Cruiser]

Everyone on CC is an expert in ships security. :rolleyes:

[shredie]

Everyone on CC is an expert in ships security. :rolleyes:

 

LOL. Right?

[paul929207]

OK, I'll take the bait. How often does the security staff practice with these hoses? Without drills (has anyone every seen one?) how can a cruise ship be sure the equipment is even working or that anyone is skilled in using them?

One one of our cruises on the Ocean Princess, we saw them practicing with the water guns.

[Colo Cruiser]

Yes a large version of a Super Soaker I believe.

[5waldos]

My security plan is to avoid areas where pirates are common. Although once upon a time we saw pirates in the eastern Pacific in the Micronesian area. But we chased them and they ran so I don't know what was up with that. And no- it was not really a cruise ship but rather a container ship/field ship.

[paul929207]

Most of the time we were in the pirate area, there was a naval ship nearby.

[oxypete]

On the Seabourn board, several posts talk about men dressed in black coming on board with long cases and black bags (not their lunch) for transit through troubled waters. An ounce of prevention.

[caribill]

On the Seabourn board, several posts talk about men dressed in black coming on board with long cases and black bags (not their lunch) for transit through troubled waters. An ounce of prevention.

 

On an RCI cruise in possible pirate waters, a "security package" was brought on board, the contents never revealed publicly. Once in safe waters again, the "security package" was off loaded.

[caribill]

We have cruised off the coast of Somalia on the relatively small (but quite fast) Oceania Nautica (twice). This is what happened:

 

1: An all passengers briefing by the captain, done with great humour and intelligence, but also entirely serious at the same time.

2: He had been the captain of the Oceania ship that was pursued by pirates in the same area, he had a great slide show. He was able to illustrate with amusing personal experience and quips like "when the alarm sounds off Yemen or in the Red Sea it does not mean 'go and grab your camera' as passengers apparently thought last time it actually happened" :D

3: We had a compulsory all crew and passenger drill just after leaving Oman, where we all had to find somethings solid to hide behind and get down on the floor. We were give quite explicit instructions about what was bullet proof and what was not.

4: The ship had the water hoses out along the decks at all times, secured to railings and ready to fire. The LRAD's were also out and there were security guards on the promenade at all times. Extra and very obvious security staff were embarked at Oman.

5: There was a ship with a helipad trailing us. I have photos, I'll try to upload them shortly.

6. An international naval force was in the area and could be seen from time to time. The red sea is bigger than it looks on a map and takes several days to traverse.

 

 

And on our RCI cruise:

o Outside cabins had to have their curtains drawn from dusk to dawn, had to stay off their balcony, and had to keep their balcony light off.

o Areas such as the gym which had no way of covering windows had to close by dusk.

o Curtains were closed in the dining rooms and on any windows in public areas.

o Access to the outside promenade deck was not available from dusk to dawn.

o Ship was part of a convoy of ships through the Red Sea and the convoy had a military escort.

[Bill B]

Everyone on CC is an expert in ships security. :rolleyes:

 

For sure!... and I know "the pointy end" is the front of the boat. ;)

[chengkp75]

OK, I'll take the bait. How often does the security staff practice with these hoses? Without drills (has anyone every seen one?) how can a cruise ship be sure the equipment is even working or that anyone is skilled in using them?

 

With a fire hose? Every week. And not just the security staff, but all crew have firefighting training. And as for specialized security equipment, the ISPS code calls for quarterly (at the minimum) security drills.

[SoCal Cruiser78]

OK, I'll take the bait. How often does the security staff practice with these hoses? Without drills (has anyone every seen one?) how can a cruise ship be sure the equipment is even working or that anyone is skilled in using them?

 

I've seen the hoses tested during a "fire drill" at sea, which I now suspect was more than just that.

[Putterdude]

Through an aspect of my previous life I can tell you that cruise lines and the security agencies of all western nations are vitally concerned about terrorists taking control of a cruise ship. They are a large floating hotel, can make fresh water, have lots of food and all the terrorists have to do is shoot a grey-haired granny and throw her off the stern each morning to keep the world's attention. I can assure you that nations have a plan in place should this happen. To the question of firearms being on a ship, only the naïve would belief they don't. They are locked away in safes and inventoried regularly; that inventory is available and provided to customs services of countries who have the option of inspecting the firearms if they so wish, that is all part of the ship clearing process.

[satxdiver]

Everyone on CC is an expert in ships security. :rolleyes:

 

Oh so very true.

[Haoie]

This is a very interesting topic and I'm glad I stumbled upon it.

 

A cruise ship hijacked by pirates/terrorists, scary thought!

 

There've been a few movies with the premise too - Speed 2 for example.

[oxypete]

This is a very interesting topic and I'm glad I stumbled upon it.

 

 

 

A cruise ship hijacked by pirates/terrorists, scary thought!

 

 

 

There've been a few movies with the premise too - Speed 2 for example.

 

 

If you google Seabourn Spirit chased by pirates, you will see some interesting video

[space cowboy]

This is a very interesting topic and I'm glad I stumbled upon it.

 

 

 

A cruise ship hijacked by pirates/terrorists, scary thought!

 

 

 

There've been a few movies with the premise too - Speed 2 for example.

 

 

A ship back in 1985 was seized terrorists, it was an Italian ship named The Achille Lauro, 4 members of the PLF took control of the ship.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Lucky TGO]

I have been reading a lot about arming pilots with a firearm on airplanes to deal with any potential threats. Does anyone know if Princess has a vault of firearms for emergency situations or if there is a cruise line standard for this issue? Otherwise is there a means of protecting passengers from a violent situation? Just food for thought...

 

Maybe they still have the old 20 ga. Skeet Gun?? I used to shoot skeet with at the back of the ship. :D

 

Tony