Seven people have been detained after a suspected hijacking on an oil tanker off the Isle of Wight.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) tweeted that according to "initial reports", the crew were safe and well.
Sky News' home affairs correspondent, Mark White, said about 16 Special Boat Service (SBS) commandos boarded the Nave Andromeda on Sunday evening and regained control.
Armed forces have gained control of the ship and seven individuals have been detained. Police investigations will now continue. Initial reports confirm the crew are safe and well. (2/2)
Two Royal Navy Merlin medium lift helicopters were involved, along with two Royal Navy Wildcat helicopters.
A Royal Navy frigate, believed to be HMS Richmond, was on standby to assist. The security incident lasted about 10 hours.
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"All crew on board have been accounted for," White added.
The operation was launched after Hampshire Police received reports that a "number of stowaways" were on board the vessel and had made "verbal threats towards the crew".
More from Isle Of Wight
Authorisation was given by Defence Secretary Ben Wallace and Home Secretary Priti Patel in response to the "suspected hijacking", the MoD said.
Sky News defence correspondent Alistair Bunkall said the operation was "pretty swift" and what is known in military terms as a "flash to bang".
It was all over in seven minutes, maritime risk expert Chris Parry told Sky News, with the commandos being roped on board.
Image:The tanker went into a zig-zagging pattern at about 10.45am.
Pic: MarineTraffic.com
The SBS is based in Poole and the operation was in its "back yard", Bunkall added.
Tobias Ellwood, chairman of the Commons defence committee, said the incident would have triggered a "multi-agency alarm" leading to "well-rehearsed classified protocols" being put into action.
Maritime strategist and defence analyst Eric Grove said tankers like the Nave Andromeda "don't have many people on board", meaning that "small numbers of stowaways can have an extraordinary amount of leverage".
He added: "We've been seeing it with pirate attacks in various parts of the world."
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said the Nave Andromeda was "in ballast" and had no oil on board.
Image:The Nave Andromeda earlier on Sunday
Ben Wallace commented: "I commend the hard work of the armed forces and police to protect lives and secure the ship.
"In dark skies, and worsening weather, we should all be grateful for our brave personnel. People are safe tonight thanks to their efforts."
Bob Sanguinetti, chief executive of the UK Chamber of Shipping said: "We commend the swift action taken by UK personnel to secure the vessel and most importantly the safety crew."
Image:A Coastguard helicopter was seen circling the ship. Pic: MarineTraffic.com
Hampshire Police said concerns for the crew's welfare were reported at 10.04am on Sunday.
The vessel went into an erratic zig-zagging pattern at about 10.45am, tracker images showed.
The ship was approximately six miles off the coast of Bembridge and had been travelling towards Southampton, police said.
Richard Meade, of shipping news journal Lloyd's List, said it was understood the stowaways had been onboard since the ship left Nigeria, although it had also made anchorage stops in the Canary Islands and south of Sant Nazaire, France.
Seven people have been detained after a suspected hijacking on an oil tanker off the Isle of Wight, Sky News understands.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) tweeted that according to "initial reports", the crew are safe and well.
Sky News' home affairs correspondent, Mark White, said about 16 Special Boat Service (SBS) commandos boarded the Nave Andromeda on Sunday evening and regained control.
Armed forces have gained control of the ship and seven individuals have been detained. Police investigations will now continue. Initial reports confirm the crew are safe and well. (2/2)
Two Royal Navy Merlin medium lift helicopters were involved, along with two Royal Navy Wildcat helicopters.
A Royal Navy frigate, believed to be HMS Richmond, was on standby to assist. The incident lasted about 10 hours.
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"All crew on board have been accounted for," White added.
The operation was launched after Hampshire Police received reports that a "number of stowaways" were on board the vessel and had made "verbal threats towards the crew".
More from Isle Of Wight
Authorisation was given by the defence secretary and the home secretary in response to the "suspected hijacking", the MOD said.
Sky News' defence correspondent, Alistair Bunkall, said the operation was "pretty swift" and what is known in military terms as a "flash to bang".
It was all over in seven minutes, maritime risk expert Chris Parry told Sky News, with the commandos being roped on board.
Image:The tanker went into a zig-zagging pattern at about 10.45am.
Pic: MarineTraffic.com
The SBS is based in Poole and the operation was in its "back yard", Bunkall added.
Tobias Ellwood, chairman of the Commons Defence Committee, said the incident would have triggered a "multi-agency alarm" leading to "well-rehearsed classified protocols" being put into action.
Maritime strategist and defence analyst, Eric Grove, said tankers like the Nave Andromeda "don't have many people on board", meaning that "small numbers of stowaways can have an extraordinary amount of leverage".
He added: "We've been seeing it with pirate attacks in various parts of the world."
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said the Nave Andromeda was "in ballast" and had no oil on board.
Image:The Nave Andromeda earlier on Sunday
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace commented: "I commend the hard work of the armed forces and police to protect lives and secure the ship.
"In dark skies, and worsening weather, we should all be grateful for our brave personnel. People are safe tonight thanks to their efforts."
Bob Sanguinetti, chief executive of the UK Chamber of Shipping said: "We commend the swift action taken by UK personnel to secure the vessel and most importantly the safety crew."
Image:A Coastguard helicopter was seen circling the ship. Pic: MarineTraffic.com
Hampshire Police said concerns for the crew's welfare were reported at 10.04am on Sunday.
The vessel went into an erratic zig-zagging pattern at about 10.45am, tracker images showed.
The vessel was approximately six miles off the coast of Bembridge and had been travelling towards Southampton, police said.
Seven people have been detained following a security incident on an oil tanker off the Isle of Wight, Sky News understands.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) tweeted that according to "initial reports", the crew are safe and well.
Sky News' defence correspondent, Alistair Bunkall, said Special Boat Service (SBS) commandos boarded the vessel and regained control.
Armed forces have gained control of the ship and seven individuals have been detained. Police investigations will now continue. Initial reports confirm the crew are safe and well. (2/2)
In South Manchester, just around the corner from where Manchester United star Marcus Rashford grew up, one cafe bar is responding to the call to offer free meals to children and their families who desperately need it.
Rustik in Didsbury will be providing free breakfasts during the October half-term, just one of many businesses who've rallied together to support the footballer's campaign to end child poverty.
Ella Routledge is the manager here and she believes as a local business they have an important role to step up and help locals who need it.
Image:Ella Routlegde is the manager of a cafe bar which the Rashford family frequent
"Families are really important to us. The fact that children are going hungry is something we don't stand by, if there's something we can do to help them then we want to.
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"It doesn't cost us much, we just decided it was something we felt was appropriate. Even if people don't come, the option's there, and having that option is something we shouldn't take for granted.
"The Rashford family come in here, we know how important it is for them, it's just a really nice feeling knowing we are supporting them and people who desperately need it."
More from Marcus Rashford
Around 20 miles down the M62, in Liverpool, there's often not much love and support for Manchester United players. But this city has some of the highest rates of poverty in the country and Rashford's campaign has united even the unlikeliest of foes.
Like Keith Perryman, who is the owner of The Watering Can restaurant in Liverpool.
As someone who once worked with disadvantaged children, the move to help provide food to the vulnerable was a no brainer.
Image:Keith Perryman said that without the support of local businesses, 'there would be a lot of hungry children across the city'
"We're inspired by Marcus Rashford and we felt that we could play a very small part by giving out packed lunches to children in Liverpool given there is a 70% poverty rate in the city and the Tory government is not stepping up to the mark to help people," Mr Perryman said.
"It struck a chord with myself, and you look at the volume of poverty in Liverpool so you feel you should step up and do something. We're doing a small part but it's important to be a part of the wider movement."
According to reports in the Liverpool Echo, some parts of Liverpool have a child poverty rate of 69%. The figure for the whole of Merseyside sits at around 21%.
Many Liverpudlians have praised the work of the Manchester United star even though to them he may be the wrong red.
Mr Perryman said: "I'm not a big football fan, but it doesn't matter what team you support, it's a good cause and as many people should jump on the bandwagon as possible.
"Moving forward now it's a very small amount of money proportionately to help children, but the government haven't stepped up to the mark.
"Without the support of independent businesses there would be a lot of hungry children across the city."
There is clear anger towards the government, not just in Marcus Rashford's home city, but around the country.
The government is adamant it is doing enough to support free school meals and says help is in place for those who need it.
But it's clear the pressure on the government is mounting, and perhaps the goodwill and anger of a united country could soon force yet another U-turn.
