British special forces stormed a Greek-operated oil tanker in the English channel on Sunday to wrest control of the vessel from seven stowaways who threatened the crew in a suspected hijacking.
Troops from the Special Boat Service, a navy special forces unit, boarded the Nave Andromeda near the Isle of Wight off southern England.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace and Home Secretary Priti Patel authorised the troops to board the ship "to safeguard life and secure a ship that was subject to suspected hijacking", the Defence Ministry said.
"Armed forces have gained control of the ship and seven individuals have been detained," the ministry said.
"Initial reports confirm the crew are safe and well."
The 228-metre Nave Andromeda had been sailing to a refinery at the south coast port of Southampton but the captain radioed for help earlier on Sunday, Isle of Wight radio said.
Upon finding the stowaways, crew members tried to lock them inside the ship’s cabin, and were reportedly met with threats to kill.
In a desperate Mayday call, the ship’s captain reportedly said he feared for his life and told an operator: "I'm trying to keep them calm but please send help."
Mr Wallace said the operation had taken place "in dark skies, and worsening weather".
"We should all be grateful for our brave personnel," he said.
"Today we are thankful for the quick and decisive action of our police and armed forces who were able to bring this situation under control," Ms Patel said on Twitter.
The ministry declined to confirm or deny the involvement of the troops, in line with British government policy of not commenting on special forces operations.
Police said the crew had been subjected to threats from the stowaways and that they were working with the coastguard and border forces to resolve the situation.
"No one has been reported injured," a police spokesman said.
Refinitiv vessel tracking data showed the Liberia-flagged Nave Andromeda had been expected to arrive in the English port of Southampton at 10.30am on Sunday.
The Nave Andromeda's registered owner is Folegandros Shipping Corp, and the vessel is managed by Greek shipping company Navios Tankers Management, according to Refinitiv.
The Isle of Wight MP, Bob Seely, told Sky News that the ship had dropped anchor despite the skipper being told not to.
"The ship may be now under the control of stowaways on the ship," Mr Seely said.
"And the relevant units will be looking at options, no doubt, as to what we could be doing."
The Isle of Wight, England's largest island, is a short boat trip from the mainland and is popular with day-trippers.
Associated British Ports, which runs the port at Southampton, declined to comment.
Those arrested were reportedly Nigerian stowaways.
The incident comes nearly two years after four stowaways from Nigeria and Liberia ran amok on a container ship after they were discovered by members of the crew.
The men, who had boarded at Lagos, demanded to be dropped off in Britain when the ship reached the Thames Estuary.
They threatened the crew of the Italian cargo ship who barricaded themselves on the bridge.
But the stowaways were arrested after British armed troops stormed the ship.
The four were later jailed for affray but were cleared at a trial in London of trying to hijack the ship.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
How to help
Donate towards food and a flight by transferring money to this registered charity's account.
Account name: Dar Al Ber Society
Account Number: 11 530 734
IBAN: AE 9805 000 000 000 11 530 734
Bank Name: Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank
To ensure that your contribution reaches these people, please send the copy of deposit/transfer receipt to: juhi.khan@daralber.ae
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
SPECS
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If you go...
Flying
There is no simple way to get to Punta Arenas from the UAE, with flights from Dubai and Abu Dhabi requiring at least two connections to reach this part of Patagonia. Flights start from about Dh6,250.
Touring
Chile Nativo offers the amended Los Dientes trek with expert guides and porters who are met in Puerto Williams on Isla Navarino. The trip starts and ends in Punta Arenas and lasts for six days in total. Prices start from Dh8,795.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
RESULTS
5pm: Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,400m
Winner: AF Tathoor, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
5.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh70,000 1,000m
Winner: Dahawi, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
6pm: Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 2,000m
Winner: Aiz Alawda, Fernando Jara, Ahmed Al Mehairbi
6.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 2,000m
Winner: ES Nahawand, Fernando Jara, Mohammed Daggash
7pm: Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 1,600m
Winner: Winked, Connor Beasley, Abdallah Al Hammadi
7.30pm: Al Ain Mile Group 3 (PA) Dh350,000 1,600m
Winner: Somoud, Connor Beasley, Ahmed Al Mehairbi
8pm: Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,600m
Winner: Al Jazi, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
