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Authorities did an “exemplary job” in rescuing the crew aboard a hijacked tanker off the Isle of Wight, Matt Hancock said.
Seven people have been detained after some 16 Special Boat Service (SBS) commandos boarded the Andromeda Ship Sunday night and regained control of the vessel.
“I can confirm that the crew is safe and that the operation to secure the vessel was successfully completed,” Hancock told Sky News.
The Andromeda Ship docked safely in Southampton on Monday morning Photo: Marinetraffic.com/Arthur George Terry
He added: “I would like to pay tribute to the police and the armed forces who did such an exemplary job … that is what they train for and that is what they are for, to protect our country and they did it at such a high level.”
Hampshire police received reports that “several stowaways” were on board and had made “verbal threats to the crew” shortly after 10 am on Sunday morning as the ship headed for Southampton, having set sail from Lagos in Nigeria.
The raid on the tanker was authorized by Defense Secretary Ben Wallace and Interior Secretary Priti Patel in response to the “alleged hijacking” and after a tense 10-hour standoff, the Defense Ministry said.
The SBS and two Royal Navy Merlin helicopters participated, along with two Royal Navy Wildcat helicopters.
Sky News defense correspondent Alistair Bunkall said the “textbook” operation was “pretty swift” and what is known in military terms as a “flash to bang.”
It was all over in seven minutes, maritime risk expert Chris Parry told Sky News, with commandos tethered aboard.
According to maritime tracking websites, the 228-meter-long ship arrived in Southampton port early Monday morning.
The Defense Ministry said: “In response to a request from the police, the Secretary of Defense and the Minister of the Interior authorized the personnel of the Armed Forces to board a ship in the English Channel to safeguard life and secure a ship. that he was subject to an alleged kidnapping.
“The armed forces have taken control of the ship and seven people have been arrested.
“Police investigations will now continue. Initial reports confirm that the crew is safe and sound.”
The SBS is the Royal Navy’s elite maritime counterterrorism unit, with most of its Royal Marine Commandos personnel who, according to the Defense Ministry, “specialize in daring covert incursions that exploit the element of surprise.”
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SBS Operations They are highly classified and not officially confirmed, but when stowaways went berserk on a cargo ship in the Thames estuary in December 2018, the ship’s operator said they were detained after SBS personnel were airlifted to the boat.
Ms. Patel said: “Tonight we are grateful for the swift and decisive action of our police and armed forces who were able to control this situation, ensuring the safety of all who were on board.”
Prior to the armed forces action, Hampshire Police said the vessel had been located about six miles off the coast of Bembridge on the Isle of Wight, adding: “Several stowaways were reported to be on board and 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 ship, with two Coast Guard helicopters spotted circling the ship in the afternoon.
