Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
SBS assault frees ‘Mayday’ oil tanker
Commandos strike in stowaway mission
ELITE commandos swooped on to an oil tanker last night six miles off Britain after a Mayday was issued over reportedly violent stowaways.
The 42,000-ton Nave Andromeda set sail from Nigeria three weeks ago and had been due to dock in Southampton yesterday at 10.30am.
But is understood the captain put out a “desperate” call “fearing for his life” after seven stowaways were discovered in a cabin.
The stowaways smashed glass and made threats to kill the crew, it is alleged.
The crew locked themselves inside a secure area, leaving the 228-metre long crude oil tanker stationary off the Isle of Wight.
A source on t he island claimed the captain told an operator : “I’m trying to keep them calm but please send help.”
The rescue operation involved 16 Special Boat Service troops who fast-roped from helicopters and took seven minutes to seize control of the ship. A Royal Navy frigate was also in the area south of Bembridge.
A three-mile exclusion zone had been put in place and it is believed the SBS commandos waited until night fell to board the ship.
All seven stowaways were seized and it is thought there were no injuries.
Sources told the Mirror a Chinook helicopter was involved as well as two
Wildcat and two Merlin helicopters. Police and coastguard helicopters had circled the ship while efforts were made to contact those on board.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace and Home Secretary Priti Patel authorised armed forces personnel to board the ship in response to a police request.
Following the operation, 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.”
Even though the authorities stressed this was not a hijacking, sources said it was treated as a counter-terror mission.
The SBS is based in Poole, Dorset, 30 miles away from the rescue.
The Liberian-registered vessel, owned by Greek operator Navios Maritime Holdings, left Nigeria on October 6.
It had docked at the port of Lagos and made one stop en route to Britain in the Canary Islands and also anchored off the French coast five days ago.
It is believed the stowaways entered the ship in Nigeria, meaning they had been on board for at least 19 days. Experts say one possible point of ingress would have been through the rudder.
Lawyers representing the vessel’s owners insisted it was “100% not a hijacking”. They also reportedly said it had been known for some time that stowaways were on board.
People are safe tonight thanks to our brave personnel’s efforts DEFENCE SECRETARY BEN WALLACE ON OP