Hampshire Police confirm emergency incident after stowaways threaten oil tanker crew
HAMPSHIRE Police have officially confirmed they have been called to deal with an ongoing security incident after stowaways threatened the crew of an oil tanker.
The police and coastguard were notified of a serious security incident at 10.04am this morning (October 25) after being alerted to ‘concerns for the welfare’ of the crew on board the Nave Andromeda which was located six miles off the coast of Bembridge on the Isle of Wight.
A spokesman for Hampshire Constabulary said: ‘It was reported that a number of stowaways were on board and they had made verbal threats towards the crew. No one has been reported injured.
‘An exclusion zone with a three mile radius is currently in place near the vessel.’
Police officials have not yet confirmed if they have requested military assistance but a number of other agencies are involved in bringing about a safe conclusion to the incident.
The spokesman added: ‘Police are currently working closely with our partners, including the Maritime & Coastguard Agency and Border Force, to bring this incident to a safe conclusion.’
The vessel is believed to have been destined for Southampton and concerns were first raised after tracking of the ship was reported to have shown it zig zagging in different directions.