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Seven people have been detained following a security incident on a tanker off the Isle of Wight, Sky News has learned.
The Ministry of Defense (MOD) tweeted that according to “initial reports” the crew is safe and sound.
Sky News defense correspondent Alistair Bunkall said Special Boat Service (SBS) commandos boarded the vessel and regained control.
The authorization was granted by the defense secretary and the interior secretary, the MOD said.
He added that the operation had been “quite fast”, which is known in military terms as “flash to bang”.
Maritime expert Chris Parry told Sky News it was all over in seven minutes.
Sky’s home affairs correspondent Mark White said about 16 SBS staff members had boarded the tanker.
“The entire crew on board has been accounted for,” he added.
The incident lasted about 10 hours.
The SBS is based in Poole and the operation was conducted in its “backyard,” Bunkall said.
Bob Sanguinetti, executive director of the UK Chamber of Shipping, said: “We understand that the ship has been boarded by security forces and protected.
“We commend the swift action taken by UK staff to secure the vessel and most importantly the security crew.”
Hampshire police said concerns for the welfare of the Andromeda Ship’s crew were reported at 10:04 a.m. Sunday.
The ship entered an erratic zigzag pattern around 10:45 a.m., images from the tracker showed.
The ship was approximately six miles off the coast of Bembridge and was traveling towards Southampton, police said.
