Seven men - detained following yesterday's (Sunday's) "suspected hijacking off the Isle of Wight - have been arrested on suspicion of seizing or exercising control of a ship by use of threats or force.
As Isle of Wight Radio first reported yesterday, a ten hour stand off ended with a major rescue operation aboard the Nave Andromeda last night.
Hampshire Constabulary says it is continuing to lead the investigation into the maritime security incident.
The incident first unfolded at around 9am yesterday, after a mayday call was sounded from the ship.
Photo thanks to Sienna Anderson.
At 10.04am concerns were raised to police for the welfare of crew on board the vessel, which was situated approximately six miles off the coast of Bembridge.
The vessel had been travelling in the direction of Southampton, having sailed from Lagos in Nigeria.
It was reported that seven stowaways were on board, and they had made threats towards the crew.
At around 7.30pm - following a multi-agency response involving police, the military and other emergency service partners - seven people were detained by police.
It has since been confirmed that the men have been detained under Sec 9(1) and (3) of Aviation and Maritime and Security Act 1990.
They all remain in custody at police stations across Hampshire.
Nave Andromeda docked in Southampton.
All 22 crew members are safe and well and the vessel has docked in Southampton.
A spokesperson for Hampshire Constabulary said:
"We would like to take this opportunity to thank the partner agencies including the Maritime & Coastguard Agency, the military, the Home Office, and Border Force, which have been helping our investigation and assisted in bringing this incident to a safe conclusion."
Investigators are speaking to the crew members to establish the exact circumstances of what happened.
Four Men Arrested Following Rogue Trader Activities In East Cowes
Rugby Players Set To Scale Great Heights For Teddy
Drug Driving, Domestic Abuse And Stalking Among Arrests Made As Police Target Isle Of Wight Criminals
Work Begins On ‘Monumental’ Mural Project At Historic Columbine Building
More Acts Added To Isle Of Wight Festival Line-Up
St Mary’s Vaccination Hub Gets Ready For Spring Covid-19 Vaccinations
Twenty Isle Of Wight Pubs Under Threat As Stonegate Issues Profit Warning
Fundraiser Launched As Kezi's Kindness Founder Diagnosed With Incurable Cancer
Bon Voyage — White-Tailed Eagle Soars To France
Goddards Brewery Scoops Four Top Industry Awards At International Competition
Briddlesford Road Crash Results In Two Injured
Isle Of Wight MP Extolls Virtues Of Joint Emergency Service Officers For Isle Of Wight
Island Labour Announces Parliamentary Candidates As Quigley Vows To 'Take Fight' To Bob Seely
Can You Help Police To Identify Man Linked To Waitrose Theft?
Ryde Town Council In Crackdown On Dog Fouling
Former Patient Opens New Intensive Care Unit
Isle Of Wight Primary School Place Allocations Announced For September
The Rules Islanders Need To Know For Police And Crime Commissioner Election Postal Voting
Family Pays Tribute To Paul Hart Following Fatal Newport Collision
Teenager Sentenced For Planning Isle Of Wight Festival Terrorist Attack
