British ship heading to ward off Somali pirates held at port in Spain

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A British-owned ex-navy ship on its way to ward off Somali pirates has been stopped from sailing and held at a port in Spain.

Former Royal Navy Lieutenant Chris Enmarsh's vessel Defender has suffered five inspections in less than a week since being forced to stop off in Tenerife for repairs.

Today it was being held in a fenced-off area at Santa Cruz port after being given a Spanish Royal Navy escort from the resort of Los Cristianos in the south of the island where it made its unplanned stopover on Tuesday.



The British gunboat Defender, which was on its way to counter piracy near Somalia, was escorted by a Spanish coastguard to Tenerife

Eight former Royal Marines are understood to be on board the vessel, which was heading to East Africa to protect oil platforms on the East African coastline from pirates.


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Tenerife maritime authorities are thought to be preventing Defender from continuing its journey over security issues relating to its lifesaving equipment.

The 127ft long vessel, built in Lowestoft, Norfolk, in the mid seventies for the Sultan of Oman as a fast attack vessel, has two cannons as well as two unused machine gun emplacements.




Eight former Royal Marines are understood to be on board the vessel, which was heading to East Africa to protect oil platforms on the East African coastline from pirates


Local government officials say they called in the Spanish Navy on Wednesday after an inspection revealed 'administrative irregularities' in the vessel's documentation.

Civil Guards who have carried out their own inspection say they have found no irregularities.

Speaking before a recent refit at Fullbridge, Essex, after buying the vessel, Mr Enmarsh said: 'Defender's task will be to deter pirates intent on boarding the many ships that pass the East African coastline.




The defender was on her way to the Indian Ocean to help tackle the problem of piracy off the African coast (file picture)

'One look at her should be enough to send them looking for easier targets.

'She will be manned by handpicked ex-Royal Marine Commandos and run as a professional naval ship, obeying the rules of engagement.

'Our primary task will be to protect oil platforms which are towed close to the coast of East Africa and a number of oil companies want to hire Defender to look after their interests.

'We are not mercenaries, this is strictly a business venture similar to other British private protection firms which operate in Iraq and Afghanistan.'

Defender's new owner was not available for comment today.

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