Bandero towed from harbour to make room for warships

Paul Watson’s ship Bandero was towed from the harbour on Monday evening to make room for warships arriving in Iceland for the Northern Viking defence exercise, mbl.is reports. The exercise involves Iceland, the United States and other allied countries.

Gísli Jóhann Hallsson, chief harbourmaster, said the vessel would be moved to Akranes.

“We are simply making room. The ship is not allowed to sail, so it had to be towed. This was an operational decision to rearrange the harbour,” he said.

Police initially guarded Bandero in a restricted area before it was moved to the old Reykjavík Harbour at Miðbakki. It is not known when the ship will leave Iceland.

Seven warships from different countries are taking part in the exercise. French, German and Canadian warships have already arrived in Iceland for it.