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http://uk.news.yahoo.com/4/20081204/twl-us-cruise-ship-escapes-pirates-41f21e0.html
US cruise ship escapes pirates and flees to Oman
A US cruise ship has finally docked in Oman after escaping a hijack attempt by Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden.
The MS Nautica has docked in Muscat's harbour after six pirates, riding in two skiffs, chased and shot at it as it sailed along a corridor patrolled by international warships.
The pirates were outrun when the Nautica's captain ordered passengers inside and accelerated the engines.
The liner's owner, Oceania Cruises said one skiff made it within 300 yards (275m) of the ship - which had 656 passengers and 399 crew on board for the 32-day cruise - and fired eight rifle shots at the vessel before trailing off.
Canadian passenger Marilyn Machum said: "It just went on the the rear, to the stern, and disappeared out of sight. We went up to breakfast. We just sat down and the captain said there were suspicious boats following us, would we all go into the corridors, or into our cabins. So we did."
The Nautica was sailing from Rome to Singapore when the incident happened.
More than 100 ships have been attacked by pirates off the Somali coast this year. However, it is the first time a cruise ship has been targeted.
In recent weeks, a Ukrainian cargo ship laden with tanks and the Saudi oil tanker the Sirius Star, which is carrying some $100 million worth of crude oil, have been hijacked.
US cruise ship escapes pirates and flees to Oman
A US cruise ship has finally docked in Oman after escaping a hijack attempt by Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden.
The MS Nautica has docked in Muscat's harbour after six pirates, riding in two skiffs, chased and shot at it as it sailed along a corridor patrolled by international warships.
The pirates were outrun when the Nautica's captain ordered passengers inside and accelerated the engines.
The liner's owner, Oceania Cruises said one skiff made it within 300 yards (275m) of the ship - which had 656 passengers and 399 crew on board for the 32-day cruise - and fired eight rifle shots at the vessel before trailing off.
Canadian passenger Marilyn Machum said: "It just went on the the rear, to the stern, and disappeared out of sight. We went up to breakfast. We just sat down and the captain said there were suspicious boats following us, would we all go into the corridors, or into our cabins. So we did."
The Nautica was sailing from Rome to Singapore when the incident happened.
More than 100 ships have been attacked by pirates off the Somali coast this year. However, it is the first time a cruise ship has been targeted.
In recent weeks, a Ukrainian cargo ship laden with tanks and the Saudi oil tanker the Sirius Star, which is carrying some $100 million worth of crude oil, have been hijacked.
