A recent video shared by Passenger Cruise Gypsy UK shows the Queen Anne, a passenger cruise ship, equipped with water cannons while navigating through a pirate-prone region known as the Sulu Sea, near the Philippines. The ship, which docked in Sydney earlier this month, displayed a banner assuring passengers of its security.
Despite the potential threat, one passenger expressed a relaxed attitude in a TikTok post, stating, “I am not worried at all… The ship is safe and well protected, so I will sleep well tonight—unless the pirate alarm goes off, of course.” Captain Inger Klein Thorhauge informed passengers about the security measures, advising them to keep cabin lights off and curtains closed to minimise visibility from the outside.
To enhance safety, the ship’s external promenade deck was restricted from 9pm to 5am on certain nights to further protect passengers during transit. Essential lighting was to be used during the darkness to reduce the ship’s external profile. Passengers were instructed to keep their stateroom lights off whenever possible.
The Sulu Sea is a busy area for shipping traffic, but it is also known for piracy, with Smartraveller issuing warnings about common piracy threats in regions such as the Gulf of Aden and South East Asia. The risks include armed robbery, kidnappings for ransom, and opportunistic crimes. Potential cruise-goers are encouraged to inquire about security protocols with their cruise companies when travelling through these high-risk areas.
Lloyd’s List highlighted the ongoing piracy concerns in the region, recalling incidents from 2011, including an attempted boarding of a bulk carrier. This threat has been popularised in media, most notably in the film Captain Phillips, which illustrates a real-life cargo ship hijacking by Somali pirates.
While the Queen Anne’s security measures are commendable, passengers are reminded to stay vigilant and informed about safety practices while cruising through such vulnerable maritime zones.