SBS Assault Frees ‘Mayday' Oil Tanker

Commandos strike in stowaway mission

- Louie Smith And Chris Hughes

Elite commandos swooped on to an oil tanker last night six miles off Britain after a Mayday was issued over reportedly violent stowaways.

The 42,000-ton Nave Andromeda set sail from Nigeria three weeks ago and had been due to dock in Southampton yesterday at 10.30am.

But is understood the captain put out a “desperate” call “fearing for his life” after seven stowaways were discovered in a cabin.

The stowaways smashed glass and made threats to kill the crew, it is alleged.

The crew locked themselves inside a secure area, leaving the 228-metre long crude oil tanker stationary off the Isle of Wight.