On 25 October 2020, the Liberian-flagged crude oil tanker Nave Andromeda issued a distress call while in the English Channel just off the coast of the Isle of Wight, in response to the presence of seven stowaways who had boarded the ship in Lagos, Nigeria.
On 5 October 2020, Nave Andromeda, a 228-metre-long (748 ft) crude oil tanker registered in Liberia, departed Lagos, Nigeria en route to Southampton, England.
[2] On 15 October 2020, at the Port of Las Palmas, the seven men left the rudder stock, hoping to be taken to land, but were instead brought onto the Nave Andromeda's deck as Spanish authorities denied the ship permission to dock.
[2] They were then given clean clothes, food and water, and housed in a locked cabin for five days, during which they were fed regularly and escorted onto the deck for fresh air.
[2] The Nave Andromeda issued a mayday call at around 9:00 am on 25 October 2020, whilst the ship was off the coast of the Isle of Wight in the English Channel, to which Hampshire Constabulary responded at 10:04 am with support from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and UK Border Force.
[2] The authorities did not believe the incident was terror-related or related to weapons of mass destruction, but the ship's erratic movements raised concern for the welfare of the crew.
[6] Defence Secretary Ben Wallace described being informed that the stowaways were "threatening to do something with the ship", which constituted a threat to life that went beyond the capacities of Hampshire Constabulary.
[12] When night fell, 16 SBS operators boarded the ship, with some fast-roping from two Royal Navy Merlin helicopters and the others climbing up the side from rigid inflatable boats.
[18] The Home Secretary Priti Patel stated: "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".
[2] In January 2021, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) dropped its case against the seven stowaways after evidence analysis cast doubt over whether or not the ship and its crew were in danger.
[7] Ed Davey, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, accused Patel and Wallace of overreacting in their response to reports from the ship, and described their behaviour as "a farce".