A Russian oil tanker’s distress signal during Storm Boleo was confirmed as a false alert by the UK Department of Transport. The vessel, named *Myra*, was flagged under Cameroon but linked to Russia’s shadow fleet, which bypasses EU and UK sanctions. The false alarm occurred off the north-west coast of Ireland, where the ship was monitored during the storm.
The *Myra* was part of a fleet of vessels used by Russia to evade export restrictions. Despite its Cameroonian flag, the ship’s association with Russian sanctions evasion has drawn attention. The false distress call was identified through monitoring systems, preventing unnecessary response efforts.
This incident highlights the challenges of tracking vessels linked to sanctioned countries. The UK has increased scrutiny of maritime traffic in response to sanctions violations. The *Myra*’s false alert underscores the need for improved verification processes. The Department of Transport has not yet announced further actions regarding the vessel.
The false alert occurred during a period of heightened storm activity in the region. Storm Boleo caused significant disruption, with wind warnings issued across multiple counties in the UK and Ireland. The incident adds to ongoing concerns about maritime security and compliance with international sanctions.
