Icelandic Coast Guard and police teams last night boarded a vessel operated by the Paul Watson Foundation, arrested the master and took control of the vessel.
Bandero has been in Icelandic waters for some time, attempting to shadow two whaling vessels.
Last night the Coast Guard control room observed that Bandero had entered Icelandic territorial waters within 12 nautical miles and was heading towards Hvalur 9. The crew of Hvalur 9 reported that threats had been made.
Bandero’s master was instructed by the Coast Guard to leave territorial waters. This was disregarded, as was a subsequent instruction to stop Bandero’s engines.
A police team boarded Bandero from a Coast Guard helicopter while party from Coast Guard vessel Freyja boarded the vessel, arresting its master and taking control.
Bandero is now under way to Reykjavík.
