Russian-Linked Tanker Emergency Off Irish Coast Confirmed as False Alarm
A Russian-linked oil tanker triggered a multi-agency international security response on Saturday, October 24, after broadcasting an emergency distress signal from severe weather conditions off the northwest coast of Ireland. The 21-person crew aboard the Cameroonian-flagged vessel Myra confirmed the alert was false after British and Irish maritime authorities scrambled aircraft to intercept the ship in huge rolling seas approximately 350 nautical miles off the Isle of Mull.
British Forces Respond to Russian Shadow Fleet Emergency
The Myra was steaming south toward Port Said in Egypt after departing the major Russian commercial port of Ust-luga in the Baltic Sea when it declared the emergency at 2:06 p.m. on Saturday, according to details reported by The Journal. The vessel is part of Russia’s shadow fleet used to transport sanctioned oil. Operating inside the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone during severe weather brought on by Storm Boelo, the empty tanker — sailing in ballast — prompted an immediate deployment by His Majesty’s Coastguard. British forces dispatched an RAF P8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft from RAF Lossiemouth to establish radio contact with the ship. The Journal noted that the Boeing 737 surveillance plane was selected due to the range of the vessel and the poor weather conditions, which included a status red marine warning issued by Met Éireann.
British and Irish coast guards monitor Russian-linked tanker after false alarm off Irish coast https://t.co/mk4vB1eDFm
Vessel Crew Confirms False Alarm
Upon reaching the area, the RAF crew successfully contacted the Myra‘s personnel, who verified that the distress alert had activated unintentionally as the ship negotiated massive ocean swells. A spokesman for the British Maritime and Coastguard Agency stated that the crew confirmed no assistance was needed and that the ship would proceed with its voyage. Simultaneously, the Irish Coast Guard deployed its Beechcraft fixed-wing aircraft to the scene to capture imagery and provide operational support to the UK Coastguard. The Irish aircraft also made direct radio contact with the vessel, receiving confirmation that all operations onboard were normal and that the initial broadcast was a false alarm. While British forces have previously boarded and inspected Russian-linked tankers in locations such as the English Channel, authorities confirmed that the Myra was allowed to continue its onward transit without boarding following the successful communications check.