Sonic weapon zaps real-life pirates

The crew of a cruise ship attacked by pirates off the coast of Somalia used a sonic weapon to help ward off the attackers, according to AP Newswire.

Miami-based Seabourn Cruise Line did not reveal the exact details of how the weapon had been used, nor how effective it had been. But the company said that the device works by transmitting an "ear-splitting noise in a directed beam".

The Seabourn Spirit also escaped Saturday's attack by shifting to high speed and changing course, the cruise line said.

Known as a Long Range Acoustic Device the so-called "non-lethal weapon" was developed for the military after the 2000 attack on the USS Cole in Yemen.

Seabourn Spirit had been bound for Kenya when it was attacked by pirates armed with grenade launchers and machine guns on Saturday about 100 miles off Somalia's coast.

The pirates reportedly grinned as they aimed their weapons at the deck and staterooms, according to some passengers.