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Pirates stalk cruise ship
Saturday, 13 Jan, 2011
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Clients on a cruise to Zanzibar were ordered to lie low below decks after pirates were spotted casing the ship.
Passengers on the Spirit of Adventure, which is owned by the holding company that owns Saga Holidays, were enjoying dinner when they were asked to drop their knives and forks and file downstairs, heads bowed, in order not to get shot at.
Meanwhile the ship’s captain moved the ship to full speed to put clear water between his guests and their lawless pursuers.
One passenger told the Daily Telegraph: “It was a really terrifying ordeal. We were eating dinner and then ordered below deck with our heads bowed. The captain sped up and tried to outrun the pirates.
“Three days ago we had been given a lecture on what to do if a pirate ship bears down on use.”
As the ship outran the pirates, passengers returned to their dinners.
A Saga spokesman told Travelmole: “A small boat appeared on the long range radar which looked supicious. The vessel was shadowing Spirit so we put in place well-rehearsed procedures and alerted the naval authorities."
"Dinner was interrupted and the whole episode lasted about 53 minutes. Now people have something to talk about on their postcards. It was a very British experience."
He added: "The soup may have got cold for a while but we heated it back up again."
By Dinah Hatch
Dinah
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