Maritime authorities from Britain and Ireland monitored the Russian-linked oil tanker Myra off the west coast of Ireland after the vessel triggered a false emergency signal on October 24. Military and coast guard aircraft investigated the broadcast, confirming the crew experienced severe sea conditions and no assistance was needed.
Tanker Triggers Distress Signal Near Ireland
On Saturday, October 24, HM Coastguard received distress alerts from a tanker carrying 21 people on board while traveling approximately 350 nautical miles off the Isle of Mull. The vessel, named the Myra, was positioned inside the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone when it raised the alarm during the afternoon. Meteorological conditions in the area were severe. Met Eireann had issued a status red marine warning for the north and northwest coast of Ireland due to the arrival of Storm Boelo.
The Myra flies under a Cameroonian flag and is registered on a sanctions list enacted following the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. The ship was en route from the major commercial port of Ust-luga in Russia in the Baltic Sea, heading south toward Port Said in Egypt. It is identified as part of Russia’s shadow fleet transporting sanctioned oil, and records indicated the vessel was sailing in ballast
, meaning it carried no cargo.
Aircraft Investigate the Alert at Sea
To investigate the distress signal, the British military deployed a Royal Air Force (RAF) P8 Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft from RAF Fairford. Given the severe weather and the vast distance from land, the long-range patrol plane established radio contact with the crew of the Myra. The crew confirmed that the emergency signal was activated mistakenly as the ship cleared an area of enormous rolling waves and high swells.
The Irish Coast Guard also provided operational support within the UK Search and Rescue Region off the northwest coast. It dispatched a Beechcraft aircraft to take images and communicate directly with the ship. Both national services verified independently that no onboard crisis existed.
Authorities Confirm Tanker Will Continue Journey
A spokesperson for His Majesty’s Coastguard detailed the resolution of the incident after aerial communication with the ship’s personnel.
It was determined that there was no need for assistance, and that the vessel would continue with onwards passage.
Following the verification of the false alarm, the Irish Coast Guard continued tracking the tanker’s southbound journey. British forces have previously been involved in the boarding and inspecting of Russian tankers, most notably in the English Channel in June.