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Australian Cruise Ship "Attacked" By Tuna Fishermen

The Australian cruise ship MV Athena was steaming through the Gulf of Aden Tuesday night when as many as 30 smaller boats surrounded the vessel. Was it totally the biggest scary pirate assault ever? Not according to Classic International Cruises, which operates the Athena: The smaller boats turned out to be tuna fishermen, and the ocean liner "escaped" without incident.

Said a company spokeswoman:

The captain followed all security measures as far as readiness on board for any eventuality by placing fire hoses around the decks and continually liaised with all authorities.

It has been confirmed that the approaching small ships were a tuna fishing fleet.

But at least one passenger insists that the cruise line is staging a cover up and that the Athena was at risk. An unnamed Aussie contacted the Australian Associated Press from the ship, saying:

"Less than an hour later the master of the vessel, Captain Antonio Morais of Portugal, confirmed to listeners that two attacks by pirates had taken place."

Crew members used blasts from high-powered water cannon to drive back the pirates who clearly wanted to board the Athena, the woman said.

Either way, the Athena is probably out of harm's way: It's next stop is scheduled for Saturday in Port Victoria in the Seychelles, and the ship will wrap its 39-day trip on December 20 in Fremantle, Australia.

Related Stories:
· Pirates in Gulf of Aden Actually Fishermen [AAP, via news.com.au]
· Passenger Says Boat Was Attacked by Pirates [AAP, via news.com.au]
· Anatomy of a Cruise Ship Attack [Jaunted]

[Photo: Classic International Cruises]