( CNN ) -- A British cruise ship avoided a possible pirate attack in the Indian Ocean on Wednesday when the captain to took evasive maneuvers and alerted naval authorities after the ship 's radar detected an approaching small boat . The 350-passenger Spirit of Adventure was traveling some 100 miles off the coast of the east African country of Tanzania -- embarking on a two-week trip from Mauritius to Mombasa , Kenya -- when the boat sped toward the ship , said cruise liner spokesman Paul Green . `` As a precautionary measure ( the captain ) asked the passengers to go to the main lounge , '' Green said . The passengers stayed in the lounge area for approximately 45 minutes while the captain steered the ship to avoid the approaching boat , which at one point came within a few hundred meters , he said . No shots were fired and no attempt to board was made , Green added . Sll cruises traveling in the Indian Ocean provide security briefings for passengers as a matter of policy , he said . Pirate attacks and subsequent ransoms have become a frequent hazard for those traveling off the east African coast , particularly Somalia , which has had no formal central government since 1991 . At least 28 vessels and 654 hostages are currently being held by pirates off the Somali coast , according to a statement from the European Union Naval Force .
A merchant ship avoided a possible pirate attack in the Indian Ocean . The ship 's radar detected a small boat and ordered the captain to perform evasive maneuvers . At least 28 vessels and 654 people are currently being targeted by pirates .