Passengers aboard a cruise ship were advised to maintain vigilance while the ship transited the Sulu-Celebes Sea in the Philippines. This likely indicates heightened awareness of potential security risks in that area, such as piracy or other maritime threats, reports the Independent.
Extra Caution
Passengers aboard the cruise were advised to be extra cautious while sailing through the Sulu-Celebes Sea, a region known for piracy.
A TikTok video showed passengers receiving an announcement via the ship’s loudspeaker system, warning them of potential piracy threats during their journey from Darwin, Australia, to Manila, Philippines.
The cruise ship implemented increased security measures, including closing the outer promenade deck at night and keeping deck lights on to minimize the ship’s external lighting.
Threat Prone Region
Passengers on the cruise were instructed to turn off their cabin lights and close their curtains at night.
The ship’s announcement assured passengers that precautions were in place and the risk of an incident was very low, especially for a large vessel like theirs.
The TikTok user also showed the ship’s sonic cannon, a Long-Range Acoustic Device (LRAD), which emits high-pitched noise to deter potential attackers.
The Sulu-Celebes Sea has historically been a region prone to kidnapping-for-ransom, particularly involving groups like Abu Sayyaf. Since March 2016, there have been 86 reported abductions in the area, according to the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia.
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Source: The Independent
