An Italian cruise ship has fended off a pirate attack with gunfire — from its Israeli security team:
The Melody was on a 22-day cruise from Durban, South Africa, to Genoa, Italy, when the pirates fired “like crazy” with automatic weapons late Saturday, slightly damaging the liner, Pinto said. The pirates tried to put a ladder on board, but were unable to climb aboard, he said.The commander said his security forces opened fire with pistols, and the ANSA news agency said the pistols had been kept in a safe under the joint control of the commander and security chief.
“When they saw our fire … they left us and went away. They followed us for a bit but then stopped,” he told Sky TG24.
Cruise line security work is a popular job for young Israelis who have recently been discharged from mandatory army service, as it is a good chance to save money and travel.
The Israeli security forces opened fire with pistols? I’m thinking this is a translation issue. What we call a submachine gun is often called a machine pistol in other languages, because it uses pistol ammo.
If this isn’t a translation issue, wow.