Private nickel-plated feet arrested in Senegal

(BRUSSELS2) They are four Britons, led by a former Royal Navy submariner, Chris Enmarch. And their desire was to offer oil tankers in need of protection in the Gulf of Guinea, their protection against pirates and other attacks by sea bandits, who scour the area. Unfortunately, they were locked up by the Senegalese for "illegal activity". It's the Daily Mail which tells their epic.

An old Omani stare

The 4 men had embarked on April 17, from Cornouaille, aboard the Defender, a 127-foot former Omani Navy launch, dating from the mid-1970s and decommissioned in 2002. Destination: Senegal for "propose to the authorities to act as a deterrent against illegal fishing"Or"to act against piracy" (the versions differ a little according to the moment).

Registered as a pleasure craft...

On April 23, near the seaside resort of Los Cristianos, in the Canary Islands, there is a breakdown. A seal popped. Officers of the Civil Guard accost them. And the ship, which is a little "suspicious", is then escorted 50 miles to a berth in the port of Santa Cruz Island by a Spanish Navy warship. The Spaniards explain having had suspicions ". The ship, which has two guns and flies the British flag, is registered as...a pleasure boat!

Cannons just for show!

The captain has explained that the guns on his boat are " just for show and totally unusable ". Nothing works. The Spaniards are not left to tell. The inspection reveals irregularities in the ship's and crew's papers as well as safety deficiencies. A fine of 40.000 euros is imposed. The flag is confiscated. And order is given to stay at the port of Tenerife. On May 31, taking advantage of the fact that the Spanish guards were busy elsewhere, the British slipped away ... and set sail again. Before being arrested again, a few days later, this time by the Senegalese navy. The former British soldiers deny being "mercenaries", just private individuals engaged in the fight against piracy.