WHAT WE DID TODAY:
Piracy Area Transit Procedures
We will be visiting Salalah, Oman, tomorrow from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. After departing there we will be entering a part of the world that is probably the most dangerous for ships to transit. We will be cruising through the Gulf of Aden which lies between Somalia and Yemen. Somali pirates have been attacking shipping here for several years now. Even though it is patrolled continuously by several countries and ships are monitored, Regent has taken further steps to protect us.
From sunset to sunrise April 5th to 9th, the open decks on deck 6, 10, 11, & 12 will be closed to passengers. We have also been asked to keep our balcony curtains closed and balcony lights off during this period.
Prior to leaving our last port, Abu Dhabi, additional security people were boarded. Included in this are 4 ex-navy seals/commandos!! Since they could not bring their weapons into the Emirates, our ship slowed down yesterday and we were approached by a boat and their weapons were brought on board. Their weapons are secured up on the ship's bridge. We do not know what kind of "toys" they brought on board. We have seen them around the ship and they certainly look like seals. They are certainly lean and mean looking but very nice.
So the open decks are patrolled continuously during night time. There are water cannons on both sides of ship on deck 6 midship to repel boarders if need be. Pirates actually do not want to mess with cruise ships despite what one might think. There are just too many people for them to control and they are aware we have additional contract security on board with us. Our ship is also faster and more maneuverable than cargo/tanker ships. Several years ago the pirates did attack a cruise ship and fired a RPG through a balcony door injuring a passenger.
There has not been a successful Somali pirate hijacking of large ships since 2012. A container ship was approached by 5 skiffs in May 2016 but warning shots by the ships security team chased them off. In my research on piracy, I found there has been a decline in piracy off the northeast coast of Africa (Gulf of Aden) and an increase of activity off the northwest coast (Nigeria). Since the Gulf of Aden is now patrolled by American, British, and other naval ships that can dispatch helicopter gun ships, pirates are not so brave.
At 10:15 this morning we had a pirate emergency drill simulating an attack. If we hear the code word, "Safehaven", over the PA, we are to make sure our drapes are closed and leave the suite or proceed to an interior area of the ship if not in suite (ie hall way outside our suite) and stand or sit, while the threat is analyzed. If the Captain determines that a attack is attempted then he will make a PA announcement having us to lie down on floors as he will be making evasive action sharp turns.
Tex Mex Lunch Buffet on Pool Deck
Our veal parmesan last night was the best yet. Chef Michael came by our table to check on us. Tonight is the Captain's Welcome Aboard reception as a new segment began in Abu Dhabi. So it is a formal optional dress night. The headliner entertainer show tonight features a Romanian pianist, Dima Belinski. I believe we have seen him on another Regent cruise. We are planning to see his show.
As I said, we will be spending tomorrow in Salalah. We were here back in 2013. Back then we also stopped in Muscat, Oman, but not this time. I thought it to be a better port as it is the capital of Oman. Here is the link to the photos I took in Muscat.
https://goo.gl/photos/BxY4YkSGZ5CPkhoKA
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