Nine Pirates Arrested After Attack on Cruise Ship

The Seychelles Coast Guard now has custody of 9 pirates who are believed to have attempted to attack and capture a luxury cruise liner about 200 miles north of the Seychelles in the Indian Ocean. The pirates were in a small boat as they approached and opened fire on the cruise liner. Security officers on the cruise ship were armed and returned fire, which was enough to thwart the attack.

The distress call that was sent by the cruise liner was picked up by the Seychelles Coast Guard, who sent an aircraft to the area. The aircraft was able to mark the pirate vessel, photograph it and track its movements. The Coast Guard eventually alerted a Spanish frigate that was in the area and that vessel eventually tracked and captured the pirates.

The Spanish frigate has handed the pirates over to the Seychelles Coast Guard and all nine suspects are currently being held. The cruise ship, the MSC Melody, was carrying approximately 1000 passengers and 500 crew members during its journey from Durban, South Africa to Genoa, Italy.

Other shipping outfits are exploring the logistics of providing armed security personnel on ships that must pass through the region. Experts point to the fact that Somalia is in utter turmoil and that no amount of military effort will curb the piracy that plagues the region.