THE vessel containing seven stowaways was refused permission to berth in France and Spain in the days leading up to its arrival in the UK, according to new reports.  

Nave Andromeda was stormed by special forces off the coast of the Isle of Wight on Sunday following a suspected hijack attempt.

The men were detained when the Special Boat Service (SBS) stormed the Liberian-registered oil tanker amid fears the crew was no longer fully in charge.

The Guardian reports today (Thursday) that French authorities had previously refused the ship permission to berth and disembark the stowaways while Spanish authorities denied the tanker access to Las Palmas port.

Read more: Isle of Wight oil tanker arrest update

According to the shipping newspaper Lloyd’s List, vessel-tracking data shows the tanker sailed from Nigerian waters on October 5, spending around 24 hours off the French coast near Saint-Nazaire from October 20, before sailing north.

It then spent two days off the Spanish and Portuguese coasts before arriving in waters off the south coast of England on 25 October.

Read more: Isle of Wight deck officer — the reality of having ship stowaways

The Nave Andromeda’s operator, Navios Tankers Management, said the stowaways “illegally boarded” the tanker in Lagos. It also thanked the UK authorities involved in the operation “for their timely and professional response”.

Sources told Lloyd’s List the master remained in control at the bridge and the chief engineer was locked in the engine room.

The 228-metre oil tanker had been due to dock in Southampton on Sunday to pick up a cargo of petrol but its course in the Channel became erratic, leading to calls for action as it passed the south-east edge of the Island.

Hampshire police reported all 22 crew members were safe and well, and the vessel has been detained while officers carry out investigations.

The stowaways have been arrested on suspicion of seizing or exercising control of a ship by use of threats or force under the UK’s Aviation and Maritime Security Act 1990.