New details have emerged of the dramatic raid by British Special Forces off the Isle of Wight yesterday.
Seven people were detained following the incident on the Nave Andromeda, whose crew issued a mayday call on Sunday morning following fears of a hijacking attempt by stowaways. Reports suggest the Special Boat Service (SBS) took control within nine minutes of boarding in a daring air and sea raid.
Four helicopters were scrambled to help the 22 crew members, with 16 personnel then boarding the vessel from the air, reports say. One frigrate, believed to be HMS Richmond, was also on standby.
The raid was authorised by Defence Secretary Ben Wallace and Home Secretary Priti Patel on Sunday night after a tense 10-hour stand-off. The crew are said to be ‘safe and well’.
On Sunday, The Times reported four military helicopters – thought to have included two Merlin Mk 4s, a Wildcat and a Chinook – took 40 personnel to the scene of the suspected hijack aboard the Nave Andromeda.
The newspaper quoted a defence source as saying about 16 members of the SBS boarded the vessel backed by airborne snipers and secured it in nine minutes.
New pictures also show the oil tanker arriving safely into Southampton on Monday morning, hours after its scheduled 10.30am arrival time.
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.
Defence Secretary Mr 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.’
Home Secretary Ms Patel added: ‘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.’
The crew were widely reported to have been subjected to violent threats before making the mayday call.
Hampshire Police said they were alerted to concerns over the welfare of the crew of the 228-metre long Nave Andromeda soon after 10am on Sunday as the ship headed towards Southampton, having set sail from Lagos in Nigeria.
According to maritime tracking websites, the 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.’
Hampshire police later said all 22 crew members of the tanker were safe.
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.
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