Special forces did ‘exemplary job’ ending suspected tanker hijacking and crew are now safe, minister says
Written by News on 26/10/2020
The crew onboard an oil tanker which was targeted in a suspected hijacking off the Isle of Wight are now safe, following a swift response from special forces.
Seven people have been detained after about 16 Special Boat Service (SBS) commandos boarded the Nave Andromeda on Sunday night and regained control of the vessel.
“I can confirm the crew are safe and the operation to secure the vessel concluded successfully,” Mr Hancock told Sky News, adding that authorities did an “exemplary job”.
He added: “I would like to pay tribute to the police and armed forces who did such an exemplary job… this is what they train for and this is what they’re there for, to protect our country and they did that to such a high standard.”
The operator of the tanker also thanked the SBS for their timely response.
“The UK authorities had been advised by the Master that stowaways had been found on board and that he was concerned for the safety of the crew due to the increasingly hostile behaviour of the stowaways,” Navios Tanker Management said.
“Happily no crew members were injured and all are safe and well.
“Navios Tanker Management wish to thank all the UK authorities involved in this operation for their timely and professional response.”
Hampshire Police received reports that a “number of stowaways” were on board and had made “verbal threats towards the crew” soon after 10am on Sunday as the ship headed towards Southampton, having set sail from Lagos in Nigeria.
The raid on the tanker was authorised by Defence Secretary Ben Wallace and Home Secretary Priti Patel in response to the “suspected hijacking” and after a tense 10-hour stand-off, the MoD said.
The SBS and two Royal Navy Merlin helicopters were involved, along with two Royal Navy Wildcat helicopters.
Sky News defence correspondent Alistair Bunkall said the “textbook” operation was “pretty swift” and what is known in military terms as a “flash to bang”.
It was all over in seven minutes, maritime risk expert Chris Parry told Sky News, with the commandos being roped on board.
According to maritime tracking websites, the 228-metre long ship reached port in Southampton early on Monday morning.
The Ministry of Defence said: “In response to a police request, the Defence Secretary and Home Secretary authorised Armed Forces personnel to board a ship in the English Channel to safeguard life and secure a ship that was subject to suspected hijacking.
“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 SBS is the elite maritime counter-terrorism unit of the Royal Navy, with most of its personnel Royal Marine Commandos who, the MoD says, “specialise in daring undercover raids that exploit the element of surprise”.
SBS operations are highly classified and not officially confirmed, but when stowaways ran amok on a cargo ship in the Thames Estuary in December 2018, the ship’s operator said they were detained after SBS personnel were airlifted onto the vessel.
On Sunday Ms Patel said: “Tonight we are thankful for the quick and decisive action of our police and armed forces who were able to bring this situation under control, guaranteeing the safety of all those on board.”
Before the armed forces action, Hampshire Police said the vessel had been located around six miles off the coast of Bembridge on the Isle of Wight, adding: “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 was placed around the vessel, with two coastguard helicopters spotted circling the ship in the afternoon.
(c) Sky News 2020: Special forces did ‘exemplary job’ ending suspected tanker hijacking and crew are now safe, minister says
