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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/oct/25/attempted-hijacking-of-oil-tanker-reported-off-isle-of-wight
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Stowaways detained as special forces gain control of oil tanker off Isle of Wight | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Special Boat Service storms vessel after suspicion of an attempted hiijacking | |
Seven stowaways have been detained after the Special Boat Service stormed a Liberian registered tanker off the Isle of Wight which they are suspected of attempting to hiijack. | |
The special forces responded to a request for help from Hampshire police in the early evening, gaining control of the Nave Andromeda vessel in nine minutes after it was feared the crew was no longer fully in charge. | |
“Armed forces have gained control of the ship and seven individuals have been detained. Police investigations will now continue. Initial reports confirm the crew are safe and well,” the Ministry of Defence said in a statement. | |
The 228-metre tanker had been expected to dock in Southampton on Sunday to pick up a cargo of petrol, but as it proceeded in the Channel its course became erratic, prompting calls for an intervention as it reached south-east of the Isle of Wight. | |
Based in nearby Poole, the SBS team used two Navy Merlin and two Navy Wildcat helicopters to take control of the tanker, which sailed towards the UK from Nigeria. | |
The vessel left Lagos on 6 October. Lloyd’s List, the shipping newspaper, said it believed seven stowaways had boarded the vessel in Nigeria. Their presence had been discovered, but they became violent when the crew attempted to lock them in a cabin. | |
The defence secretary, Ben Wallace, said: “I commend the hard work of the armed forces and police to protect lives and secure the ship. In dark skies, and worsening weather, we should all be grateful for our brave personnel. People are safe tonight thanks to their efforts.” | |
Bob Sanguinetti, chief executive of the UK Chamber of Shipping, said: “We understand the vessel has been boarded by security forces and made safe. We commend the swift action taken by UK personnel to secure the vessel and most importantly the safety crew.” | |
Police as well as Maritime and Coastguard Agency staff initially dealt with the incident. A Hampshire police spokesman said: “We are aware and dealing with an ongoing incident on board a vessel which is situated south of the Isle of Wight.” | Police as well as Maritime and Coastguard Agency staff initially dealt with the incident. A Hampshire police spokesman said: “We are aware and dealing with an ongoing incident on board a vessel which is situated south of the Isle of Wight.” |
The vessel was reported to have made two stops on its voyage, anchoring off the Canary Islands and off the French coast just south of Saint-Nazaire in Brittany. | |
The Nave Andromeda is understood to be managed by Inchcape and owned by Greek operator Navios Maritime Holdings. | The Nave Andromeda is understood to be managed by Inchcape and owned by Greek operator Navios Maritime Holdings. |
A spokesperson for Hampshire police said: “At 10.04am today [25 October] concerns were raised to police for the welfare of crew on board the Nave Andromeda – a vessel situated approximately six miles off the coast of Bembridge, Isle of Wight. | A spokesperson for Hampshire police said: “At 10.04am today [25 October] concerns were raised to police for the welfare of crew on board the Nave Andromeda – a vessel situated approximately six miles off the coast of Bembridge, Isle of Wight. |
“The vessel had been travelling in the direction of Southampton. It was reported that a number of stowaways were on board, and they had made verbal threats towards the crew. No one has been reported injured. | “The vessel had been travelling in the direction of Southampton. It was reported that a number of stowaways were on board, and they had made verbal threats towards the crew. No one has been reported injured. |
“An exclusion zone, with a three-mile radius, is currently in place near the vessel. Police are currently working closely with our partners, including the Maritime & Coastguard Agency and Border Force, to bring this incident to a safe conclusion.” | “An exclusion zone, with a three-mile radius, is currently in place near the vessel. Police are currently working closely with our partners, including the Maritime & Coastguard Agency and Border Force, to bring this incident to a safe conclusion.” |
Bob Seely, the Conservative MP for the Isle of Wight, said the incident would be treated as a “marine counter-terrorism” incident. | |
Seely said he expected specialist units to be scrambled to handle the situation. He told Sky News: “Despite being told not to drop anchor, the skipper has dropped anchor and the ship may be now under the control of stowaways on the ship. | Seely said he expected specialist units to be scrambled to handle the situation. He told Sky News: “Despite being told not to drop anchor, the skipper has dropped anchor and the ship may be now under the control of stowaways on the ship. |
“I suspect because of the nature of this it will be treated as marine counter-terrorism and the number of people in the UK who do that are very limited and the relevant units will be looking at options no doubt as to what we could be doing.” | “I suspect because of the nature of this it will be treated as marine counter-terrorism and the number of people in the UK who do that are very limited and the relevant units will be looking at options no doubt as to what we could be doing.” |