Passengers on board the Cunard luxury cruise liner, Queen Anne, were warned to stay vigilant while the 113,000-ton vessel passed through waters known for piracy.
A TikTok The video posted by user cruisegypsyuk@lillydapink, having garnered over eight million views, captured an announcement made to travelers during their journey from Darwin, Australia, onwards. Manila across the Philippines via the Sulu-Celebes Sea.
"This region is notorious for piracy risks," was communicated to them through a speaker in their rooms.
Consequently, the cruise would operate "at an increased state of security alert" throughout this time frame. This measure includes closing off the exterior promenade deck during nighttime hours and keeping "the deck lights on to minimize the vessel’s outward illumination."
Travelers were additionally requested to switch off their cabin lights and maintain their drapes closed.
"I can confirm that extensive precautions have been put in place to avoid any unforeseen incidents, and the chances of such an event occurring on a large vessel like the Queen Anne are extremely low," the statement went on to say.
A representative from Cunard stated that as part of routine maritime protocols, their Captains might issue preventive notices when navigating particular areas, Business Insider There were no particular threats to the vessel or its passengers, and our activities aboard continued without disruption.
In a subsequent post, the TikTok user commended the Queen Anne’s vessel security, stating: "All the curtains were closed, and the lighting was dimmed to the lowest level last night. The security team performed admirably in monitoring the ship throughout the night. Great work everyone."
In a different video, she showcased the cruise ship Sonic cannons are used on many cruise ships equipped with Long-Range Acoustic Devices, which project high-frequency, directed sounds to deter aggressors.
Previously, the Sulu-Celebes Sea was a frequent location for kidnappings-for-ransom, notably carried out by extremist factions like Abu Sayyaf, which operates in the southern regions of the Philippines.
From March 2016 until now, the Information Sharing Center under the Regional Cooperation Agreement for combating piracy and armed robbery against ships in Asia has documented a total of 86 abduction cases.
Significant pirate assaults on cruise ships took place in 2005 and 2009, with both incidents managing to evade harm successfully.
The Queen Anne is presently embarked on its first global journey. This 111-night expedition started in Hamburg, Germany, on January 7 and has included visits to England, New York, Hawaii, Mexico, New Zealand, and Australia.
The vessel is scheduled to arrive back in Hamburg on April 29 following stops in Vietnam, South Africa, Singapore, and Malaysia.
The Independent stands out as the globe's premier source of unbiased journalism, offering international news, opinions, and insights tailored for those with an independent mindset. With a vast worldwide audience comprising people who appreciate our reliable perspective and dedication to fostering constructive transformation, we continue to thrive. Today more than ever, our aim—to drive meaningful progress—remains crucial.
