A military exercise, which appears to be simulating the hijacking of a cross-Solent ferry, is taking place with the help of Red Funnel today (Wednesday).
The Red Eagle car ferry has travelled down the Western Solent to play a vital role in the joint agency exercise between the military and civilian authorities.
Merlin and Chinook helicopters are circling overhead this lunchtime alongside fixed-wing aircraft from HM Coastguard and the Royal Air Force. Coastguard Rescue 175 helicopter from Lee-on-Solent has also been involved with the ‘incident’, with the National Police Air Service helicopter also present.
Island Echo is told that commandos have abseiled down ropes from a Chinook helicopter, landing on the deck of the Red Eagle.
Today’s exercise comes less than 2 weeks after the Nave Andromeda incident off Ventnor, in which the Special Boat Service stormed the oil tanker after 7 stowaways became violent to the ship’s crew. Much like the real incident, a Chinook helicopter has left the SBS base in Poole and has travelled directly towards the ferry in the Solent.
A number of aircraft involved in today’s training scenario were actually on scene off the Isle of Wight coast on 25th October. You can see a timeline of events at https://www.islandecho.co.uk/7-detained-and-22-rescued-by-military-forces-timeline-of-nave-andromeda-incident/.
Red Funnel has confirmed that the Red Eagle ferry is taking part in a military training exercise today, but to maintain the integrity of the operation have refused to provide any further information.
UPDATE – It has been confirmed to Island Echo that the exercise was nationally organised by the Ministry of Defence and had been planned for several months.
Was ‘secret’ until you shouted. Now the whole world knows.
At least, if someone thought it was a soft target, now they know it isn’t.
The ‘whole world’ knows ?
About 0.001% of the world reads this guys digital paper are you mad? X
Could hear them for MILES, a silent row boat by SBS would be the ‘wise’ way.
And their classic slide down the rope routine is brave, but hardly a secret.
Perhaps they should do a mission on our island street’s and sort out the lowlife, then after that sort out the crap drivers.
Only stowaways on island ferries would be because their prices a obscene!!!!!!
Share holders that don’t even know where the isle of wight is!
Same as this Wightfibre arseholes who have been given free range to Make a mess of our pavements and cause immense nuisance!!
Waiting for the usual suspects to twist this section into a rant about housing estates
Presume you mean council estates…. usual suspects… great link!
probably getting another self entitled dead beat off the boat after finding out that its new, free house, on the island hasn’t been built yet. The individual is probably raging and stamping her feet, that the environment hasn’t been wrecked for her benefit.
Just incase some holiday makers sneak on a ferry and travel over here in lockdown………..
I’m still in disbelief it was attempted the first time. Within what ? 10 miles ? …of Her Majesties largest and advanced Naval base ?! Numb nuts.
actually – the ship’s crew tried to drop them off in spain and france but both countries refused as they knew the stow-aways were heading for britain…
Thankyou voice of reason for respectfully filling Me in. I switch off from it all frequently, so did not know this. Kind regards.
I was out yesterday on Brading marsh and the same two helicopters were flying around all afternoon.
Saw it when on my boat at yaverland there was 4 side by side
8 people chipped in on a helicopter for a round trip to the island because it worked out cheaper than individually paying for an ticket on the red funnel.
Saw 2 boats with outboards filled with service looking people struggling against the current off Ryde this afternoon making slow headway. Bet the people who are paying charges for berths in Ryde harbour wish they could at least get their boats out at any speed.
Maybe it was Boris trying to kidnap bob on his way back to the island?