Chise-Bulker

The details of the incident on the 'Chise Bulker' remained unclear. Early on Feb 9, the captain of the vessel radioed requesting medical assistance. and it was diverted to the Port of Portland, England. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency was monitoring the situation, but the medical assistance call was referred to local ambulance service in Dorset. Working with the U.K. Border Force, the MCA, and other local authorities, arrangements were made for the vessel to dock in Portland. On further inquiry, the Dorset Police determined that no one required medical assistance but that there had been a confrontation with the crew after seven unidentified individuals had been discovered aboard the vessel. The Dorset Police took the seven people into custody and escorted them from the vessel. It was unclear how the seven individuals had got aboard the vessel and if they had planned to sail with the ship. After the crew of the bulker was interviewed by the local authorities, the vessel was permitted to resume its voyage and left Portland in the evening of Feb 10 enroute to Veracruz with an ETA as of Feb 27.

On Feb 9, 2021, the 'Chise Bulker' was seized by seven stowaways off Portland, UK, in the English Channel. The vessel had left Rouen on Feb 8 enroute to Portland. The stowaways were discovered by the crew on Feb 9 when the ship was approaching the port. The master decided to divert to Le Havre to disembark them. Thereupon they tried to break into the bridge or broke and injured at least one crew member after French ports refused to let them ashore. The Master asked for immediate assistance. The captain said his crew were being harmed and that the situation was not under control. The migrants rioted when the ship tried to sail back to France, unwilling to return to France and being handed over to French authorities. The master headed to Portland and anchored off the port late on Feb 9. The seven stowaways - believed to be Albanian nationals - were arrested by the police and escorted from the ship. They will be considered by the Border Force and UK Visas and Immigration for potential offences.