Pirates - 0 MSC Melody - 1

Imagine, you finally get to take that trip of a lifetime. The one you saved and scrimped for. You're out on the beautiful blue waters, lounging by the pool, drinking your cocktail and you look up in time to see, PIRATES.

You know damn well they weren't planning their own version of Pirates of Penzance.


NAIROBI (Reuters) - An Italian cruise ship used guns and a firehose to beat off an attack by pirates off the east African coast, the vessel's captain said on Sunday.

Commander Ciro Pinto of the MSC Melody, which has a capacity of 1,500 passengers and crew, said the ship was slightly damaged by firing from the pirates.

The ship came under attack when it was 200 miles north of the Seychelles and 600 miles off the Somali coast. "They started firing like crazy at the ship," he told Italian television Skytg24.

Pinto said pistols were handed out to security staff and they opened fire on the pirates when they tried to clamber up the sides of the ship.

"They tried to put up a ladder with hooks. They were climbing up, so we reacted. We started firing. When they saw us firing -- we even sprayed them with water with the firehose -- they gave up and went off," Pinto said.

The sea gang followed the Melody for another 20 minutes, firing at it all the while, Pinto said.

"The passengers meanwhile were inside the cabin. There are no injuries. Only two people with scrapes," the captain said. "Someone slipped, fell. Just a few light scrapes."

Although the ship's action may have saved the Melody from capture, a Kenyan maritime official that monitors the growing piracy off Somalia said it only endangered the lives of passengers.

"Having weapons on a passenger or merchant ship is dangerous. They should have used other means to shake off the pirates, like a loud acoustic device," said Andrew Mwangura of the Mombasa-based East African Sea Farers Assistance Program.

He was referring to a device that can produce a deafening sound to deter pirates when directed toward their vessel.

"Only military ships should have weapons on board."

Oh please! With 3,000 plus ships attacked by pirates each year, I think the added protection of weapons, has become necessary.

IF, I were to take the risk and go out on a cruise ship in dangerous waters, I would expect my crew to be able to protect me.

Loud acoustic devices can be used, just like the fire hoses were. But, keep the guns!