Hms sutherland begins boarding operations off libya

News story HMS SUTHERLAND BEGINS BOARDING OPERATIONS OFF LIBYA HMS Sutherland deployed a team of Royal Marines and Royal Navy sailors to search the merchant vessel in international waters

close to Libya,… This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government HMS Sutherland deployed a team of Royal Marines and Royal Navy sailors to

search the merchant vessel in international waters close to Libya, enforcing the current arms embargo, preventing the flow of illegal weapons and munitions into the hands of pro-Gaddafi

forces, ultimately to protect Libyan civilians. Commander Roger Readwin, commanding officer of HMS Sutherland, said: > Sutherland’s Royal Marine and Royal Navy boarding teams provide a

> vital capability, enforcing internationally mandated embargoes to > support the overall aim of protecting Libyan citizens. >  > HMS Sutherland is able to quickly insert 

multiple specialist teams > by high-speed boat whilst simultaneously providing close > surveillance of the vessel and her crew using our state-of-the-art > sensors and Lynx 

helicopter. NATO ships enforcing the embargo initially assess suspicious vessels electronically using the Automated Identification System allowing a detailed interrogation to occur even

before they have been boarded. Hailing the ship over the radio allows information about the vessel and it’s cargo to be further scrutinised, with irregularities being meticulously

investigated. Lieutenant Viggars RM, officer commanding HMS Sutherland’s Royal Marines boarding team, said: > In a highly demanding sea state, my lads swiftly, but safely, > boarded 

the suspect vessel and conducted a thorough search. Once we > had satisfied ourselves they were not in breach of the embargo, my > Marines and Royal Navy teams disembarked as 

professionally as they > had arrived. >  > The vessel was cleared to proceed along her original course, and we > returned to Sutherland ready for our next tasking. Petty Officer

Jones, of the Royal Navy boarding team, said: > We work very closely with the Royal Marine boarding teams in order > to secure a ship, allowing us to search it safely and thoroughly. 

We > always work professionally together and combined, give Sutherland a > formidable asset ready to go at a moment’s notice. SHARE THIS PAGE The following links open in a new tab *

Share on Facebook (opens in new tab) * Share on Twitter (opens in new tab) UPDATES TO THIS PAGE Published 27 July 2011