Royal Navy detains Russian tanker off Dorset but blocks press approach to vessel

The Royal Navy seized the oil tanker Smyrtos, part of Russia’s shadow fleet, and anchored it three miles off the Dorset coast near Weymouth. GB News reporter Will Godley boarded a speedboat in Weymouth to approach the anchored vessel. The speedboat reached speeds of up to 20 knots and covered the distance in no more than 20 minutes.

The speedboat skipper, identified as Morgan, stated he would not approach closer than 100 metres and limited the boat to 150 metres. When the speedboat was still 500 metres from Smyrtos, a Royal Navy speedboat approached and armed personnel ordered the boat to turn around. Smyrtos measures as long as two football pitches and can carry more than 700,000 barrels of Russian oil.

More than 700,000 barrels of Russian oil carried by Smyrtos could sell at market for over £40 million. Will Godley had to hand over his press credentials and was escorted further away by a police boat, where he was briefly allowed to broadcast. Two Royal Navy ships were tasked with guarding the seized vessel.