Recently, passengers aboard the luxury cruise liner Queen Anne, operated by Cunard, experienced a tense situation as the ship navigated through the piracy-prone waters of the southern Philippines. As the vessel sailed through the Sulu and Celebes seas, crew members instructed guests to turn off unnecessary lights, close their curtains, and remain alert. This precaution was in light of the region’s history of maritime crime, particularly related to the militant group Abu Sayyaf, known for kidnappings and ransom demands.
During this period of heightened security, the promenade deck was closed, and external lighting was dimmed to reduce visibility from the outside. A crew member addressed the passengers over the ship’s broadcast system, emphasizing the need for increased vigilance due to the piracy threat. While the atmosphere was understandably tense, the crew reassured guests that the risk of piracy against a vessel as large as the Queen Anne was “absolutely minimal.”
The Queen Anne, measuring 323 meters (1,060 feet) and equipped with 14 decks, is capable of accommodating approximately 3,000 passengers alongside a crew of more than 1,200. This massive ship operates like a floating city and is designed for a luxurious cruising experience.
The Sulu and Celebes seas have a notorious reputation for piracy, especially concerning smaller vessels. A maritime security advisory firm, Risk Intelligence, reported that between 2016 and 2020, Abu Sayyaf abducted 85 seafarers from 21 different vessels, predominantly targeting smaller ships such as fishing trawlers and tugboats rather than larger cruise liners.
In conclusion, while the passengers of Queen Anne faced an unsettling experience during their cruise through a known piracy area, the ship’s size and security measures contributed to their safety, allowing them to navigate through the risks of the region with some peace of mind.
