Police dealing with security incident involving number of stowaways on oil tanker off Isle of Wight

Police are dealing with a security incident caused by stowaways aboard an oil tanker off the Isle of Wight.

Seven stowaways – thought to be from Nigeria – are onboard, Richard Meade, editor of shipping news journal Lloyd’s List, told Sky News.

Crew members had found them and tried to lock them in a cabin but the situation became violent and the security alarm was raised, Mr Meade said.

He added that the group are believed to have entered the vessel – named the Nave Andromeda – through the rudder trunk.

Sky’s home affairs correspondent Mark White said at least half a dozen stowaways were discovered at some point today and that crew were sheltering at secure points on the ship.

The vessel was due to dock in Southampton at 10.30am today and a Coastguard helicopter is circling the ship.

A restriction zone of five nautical miles is now in place around the vessel.

Hampshire Police have also deployed their own helicopter over the Isle of Wight, while a military Chinook helicopter was seen taking off this evening.

Local MP Bob Seely has told Sky News he expects the incident will be handled by marine counter-terrorism forces and that a COBRA emergency meeting has likely either been held or is due to be held.

He said authorities are also likely to be planning how to get onto the ship.

“They will be looking at the ship’s registration, who’s on it, what it is carrying, how many stowaways there are, can they get in contact with the crew if they can’t get in contact with the skipper,” he said.

The 228-metre long ship is carrying 42,000 tonnes of crude oil and left Lagos, Nigeria, on 6 October before heading for Southampton.

The vessel had made a number of zig-zags around the area just off the Isle of Wight within a couple of hours, according to Marine Traffic.

It is registered in Liberia and operated by Greek shipping firm Folegrandos.

However, this does not mean it is a Liberian ship as vessels can be registered anywhere recognised by the international shipping authorities.

It is believed the stowaways were found at around 10.45am today, when the ship began its erratic zig-zagging.

If crew members are indeed sheltering on the ship, they could be on the vessel’s bridge, according to Sky’s Mark White.

They would be able to lock the area around the bridge to make it secure.

“It is clearly a serious incident that is unfolding,” Mr White said.

“For the authorities, as well as ensuring this tanker comes into no harm, they want to make sure any other vessels around this oil tanker are safe and out of the way.

“But the top priority for the authorities is to make sure the crew are safe.”

He added that the route is well-known for people smuggling – with immigrants coming from countries such as Iran, Iraq, Nigeria and Somalia – but the investigation is still in very early stages.

Mr Seely said the ship is visible from the eastern coast of the Isle of Wight, but residents should not be concerned for their safety.

A Hampshire police spokesman said: “We are aware and dealing with an ongoing incident onboard a vessel which is situated south of the Isle of Wight.

“We will provide you with further updates when we are in a position to do so.”

The Coastguard confirmed it is assisting police, and search and rescue helicopters from Lee on Solent and Lydd are attending the incident.

A spokeswoman for Associated British Ports (ABP) said it had no comment on the incident, but the PA news agency understands the port received contact from the ship although had not been refused entry to the harbour.

Home Secretary Priti Patel is being kept informed about the incident, according to Sky’s political correspondent Joe Pike.

In December 2018, British forces stormed an Italian cargo ship and regained control after stowaways threatened crew members as it sailed in the Thames Estuary.

(c) Sky News 2020: Police dealing with security incident involving number of stowaways on oil tanker off Isle of Wight