Military take control after stowaway call

Seven people have been detained after British armed forces boarded an oil tanker off the Isle of Wight, following reports that crew had been threatened by stowaways.

Hampshire Po lice requested military help in dealing with the situation on board the 228- metre Nave Andromeda.

The Ministry of Defence announced last night: “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.

“A r m e d forces have gained control of the ship and seven individuals have been detained.”

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: “I commend the hard work of the armed forces and police to protect lives and secure the ship. People are safe thanks to their efforts.”

Speaking shortly before the military action was confirmed by the MoD, Bob

Sanguinetti, chief executive of the UK Chamber of Shipping, said: “We understand the vessel has been boarded by security forces and made safe. We commend the swift action taken by UK personnel to secure the vessel and most importantly the safety of the crew.”

Concerns were raised with police over the welfare of the ship’s crew shortly after 10am yesterday.

Police said the vessel, located around six miles off the coast of Bembridge on the Isle of Wight, had been

travelling in the direction of Southampton.

Jo hn T hompson, cof o u n d e r of A m b r e y, a maritime security firm advising the ship’s Greek owners yesterday, said the incident was “definitely not a hijacking”. “It’s stowaways who have got a bit rowdy with the crew,” he said.

The Nave Andromeda had sailed from Lagos in

Nigeria on Oc tober 5. Richard Meade, managing editor of shipping news journal Lloyd’s List, wrote on its website he had received information that there were seven stowaways.

He said it was understood they had been on board since the ship left Nigeria.

It comes two years after a group of stowaways ran

amok on a container ship during a 14-hour stand-off in the Thames Estuary. The vessel, which had also set off from Lagos, ended up sailing round in circles in the estuary while authorities responded.

Four men from Nigeria and Liberia were eventually detained under the Imm i g r a t i o n Act, and jailed.

DRAMA: Seven stowaways had apparently tried to take control of the Nave Andromeda.