UK special forces have stormed a Greek-owned product tanker and taken seven suspected stowaways into custody.
The brief operation aboard the 75,000-dwt Nave Andromeda (built 2011) was reportedly carried out in just nine minutes by the UK’s elite special boat squadron.
The UK ministry of defence confirmed armed forces had “gained control of the ship” and that seven people had been detained.
"I commend the hard work of the armed forces and police to protect lives and secure the ship,” UK defence secretary Ben Wallace said.
“In dark skies, and worsening weather, we should all be grateful for our brave personnel. People are safe tonight thanks to their efforts.”
The UK ministry of defence added that police investigations will now continue, while initial reports confirm the seafarers are safe and well.
All 22 crew members were said to have locked themselves in the ship's citadel, after the stowaways turned violent when they were discovered.
Manager Navios Tankers Management confirmed the seven stowaways boarded in Lagos, Nigeria.
'Increasingly hostile'
The company said in a statement on Monday the seven have now been "detained by the UK authorities after a multi-agency response, including police, military and emergency forces."
The master has told the authorities the stowaways had been found on board and that he was concerned for the safety of the crew due to their "increasingly hostile behaviour."
"Happily no crew members were injured and all are safe and well," Navios added.
"Navios Tanker Management wish to thank all the UK authorities involved in this operation for their timely and professional response," the company said.
Navios also paid tribute to the captain for his "exemplary response and calmness and to all the crew for their fortitude in a difficult situation."
John Thompson, co-founder of security consultancy Ambrey told the Financial Times newspaper: "It's stowaways who have got a bit rowdy with the crew."
Thompson said Ambrey had helped Navios connect with the correct authorities in the UK.
Concerns over the crew's welfare were raised at 10:04 GMT when the vessel was six miles off Bembridge, police said.
UK home secretary Priti Patel said via Twitter: “Tonight we are thankful for the quick and decisive action of our police and armed forces who were able to bring this situation under control, guaranteeing the safety of all those on board.”
Bob Sanguinetti, chief executive of the UK Chamber of Shipping told TradeWinds: “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.”
The tanker had been expected to dock in Southampton on Sunday to take on a cargo, but its course in the Channel became erratic, prompting calls for an intervention.
"This incident, if confirmed, appears to be the second such incident involving the hostile takeover of a vessel in English waters, involving stowaways with the first such incident recorded on board the 5,720-lane-metre Grande Tema (built 2014) in December 2018," UK security consultancy Dryad Global said.
