A tanker’s armed security team fired warning shots at a suspicious small craft approaching the vessel, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said Friday.

UKMTO said it received a report of an incident involving a tanker located 98 nautical miles north of Socotra.

The security alert was raised after the chief security officer (CSO) of a tanker confirmed it had been approached by a small craft carrying five people on board.

The incident escalated briefly, requiring a defensive response from the ship’s onboard protection to deter the approaching boat.

In response to the suspicious approach, the tanker’s onboard armed security team intervened, firing warning shots at the small craft which forced them to alter course.

No further details regarding the identity of the approaching boat or its intended destination were immediately available.

Relevant authorities have been notified and are currently investigating the incident.

In light of the incident, the UKMTO has advised all vessels transiting the area to transit with caution and immediately report any further suspicious activity.

The development came one day before UKMTO said Saturday that it received a report of another incident involving a product tanker located within the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC) 200 nautical miles west of Socotra.

Small craft approaches product tanker, retreats after armed team deployed

A products tanker was approached by a small craft carrying five people but turned away after the vessel’s armed security team was deployed. UKMTO said it received a report of an incident within the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC) 200 nautical miles west of Socotra.

“The Master of a products tanker has reported that the vessel was approached by a small craft with 5 persons onboard, closest point of approach 100m,” UKMTO said on Saturday.

The vessel’s armed security team were deployed and the small craft altered course away from the reporting vessel.

No further details were immediately available.