Source: BBC News
The tanker's crew failed to declare there were firearms on board
Three shotguns and ammunition have been seized from the crew of an an oil tanker which docked in Milford Haven.
Officers from the Border Force boarded the Panamanian-registered ship for a routine search.
Members of the Chinese and South Korean crew told them the weapons were being carried as self-defence against pirates in the Indian Ocean.
But the Border Force is warning all ships entering UK waters they must declare any firearms on board.
The weapons were seized as the crew had failed to do so and because they had not been stored properly.
Alex Lawther, assistant director for Border Force in Wales, said: "Even if crews are carrying firearms for legitimate reasons, they must declare them to our officers when they arrive in UK waters and they must store them properly on board ship.
"As well as seizing drugs and illegally-smuggled weapons, our officers also make sure ships' crews are complying with regulations around transporting firearms and other dangerous items."
[OL Note]
This draws into focus the recent announcement by Egyptian authorities of a further change in the requirements governing the carriage of weapons, ammunition and armed guards on vessels within Egyptian waters.
Following a recent Egyptian Ministry of Defence conference to discuss this issue, agents are now required to make a declaration 48 hours prior to arrival in the case of vessels which are due to call at Egyptian ports or transit the Suez Canal and have weapons, ammunition or armed guards on board. The agents are required to provide the Port Police, Military Intelligence, Coast Guard and Customs with a copy of the declaration. Also the Suez Canal Authority or the Port Authority, as applicable - West P&I Club.
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