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HMS Bulwark Thwarts Fuel Smuggling

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060601-07
Release Date: 6/1/2006 10:03:00 AM

From HMS Bulwark Public Affairs

HMS BULWARK, At Sea (NNS) -- During a visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) operation, HMS Bulwark (L 15) boarded a suspicious oil tanker apparently involved in smuggling fuel in the Indian Ocean, May 15.

Bulwark, currently performing maritime security operations (MSO) in the region as a member of the Pakistani-led Combined Task Force (CTF) 150, received word that the tanker was spotted conducting a suspicious transfer with a dhow. CTF 150 ordered Bulwark to investigate the situation.

Royal marines and sailors from Bulwark’s VBSS team boarded the ship in accordance with international maritime law. Bulwark’s crew members quickly discovered the ship was apparently attempting to transport fuel illegally.

The coalition maritime force reported the ship’s illicit activity to regional authorities for further action.

It was a typical demonstration of how the combination of surveillance, multinational cooperation, stealth and coordinated delivery of overwhelming security forces serves to confound illegal operators.

With its eight deployed boat group landing craft, additional accompanying small boats, and Royal Marine boarding detachments and boarding teams, including the specialists from the Fleet Protection Group, Bulwark serves as a reminder to terrorists and others that the high seas are no longer a safe place to travel undetected or to ply their illegal trades.

Bulwark’s Boarding Officer, British Royal Navy Lt. Ian Tall, said the unpredictable nature of the job requires Bulwark and its personnel to prepare to meet any and all uncertainties.

“You never know how a ship’s crew will react, so it’s good to know that we have the professional boarding teams from the Royal Marines securing the [ship] for us,” he said. “Clearly, the sight of commandos sliding down ropes from helicopters, while at the same time [Bulwark’s boarding team members] climbing up the [side of the ship], persuades them that this is a highly trained team and compliance is in their interests.”

Since departing its homeport in Plymouth, England, in January, Bulwark has operated throughout Southwest Asia’s regional waters.

Bulwark has spent almost the entire year in the local regional waters. Prior to its arrival in the Indian Ocean, Bulwark operated as CTF 158’s flagship in the North Persian Gulf. While there, it helped maintain stability and safe passage in the waters surrounding two Iraqi oil platforms, Al Basra Oil Terminal (ABOT) and Khawr Al Amaya Oil Terminal (KAAOT). These platforms are important, because they contribute significantly to the Iraqi economy and are critical to the population’s self-determination.

Now with CTF 150, Bulwark and other coalition forces conduct MSO under international maritime conventions and ensure security and safety in international waters so that all commercial shipping can operate freely while transiting the region. Besides the Indian Ocean, CTF 150 conducts MSO in the North Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden, and the Red Sea.