A multi-agency maritime security operation has taken place in the north-west Irish Sea, with teams from the Isle of Man, Northern Ireland and the UK working together to tackle serious and organised crime.

Operation Emstara ran from Monday, September 21, to Friday, September 25, with coordinated activity taking place between Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man.

The deployment was coordinated through the Joint Maritime Security Centre (JMSC), the UK’s multi-agency hub for maritime security.

Its primary aim was to disrupt serious criminality and prevent organised crime groups from exploiting small ports, fast craft, fishing vessels and commercial ferries to move illicit commodities or cash through the Common Travel Area.

Specialist teams involved in the operation included officers from the Isle of Man Constabulary and Ports Unit, Isle of Man Border Division (Customs and Immigration), Isle of Man Fisheries and the Isle of Man Marine Operations Centre.

They were joined by Border Force and Border Security Command, along with Police Marine Units from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).

Throughout the week, multi-agency crews and boarding teams maintained a visible presence on the water, with the operation also aimed at deterring maritime criminal activity, strengthening intelligence sharing and providing reassurance to coastal and maritime communities.

Teams from the participating agencies responded to emerging risks and took coordinated action where required.

Alongside the on-water activity, officers from the Isle of Man Constabulary Ports Unit also engaged with harbour keepers and coastal communities to raise awareness of Operation Kraken, a UK-wide initiative encouraging members of the public to report suspicious maritime activity.

Boat owners, harbour users and coastal residents are encouraged to remain vigilant and report unusual or concerning behaviour around the coastline, helping maritime agencies identify and respond to potential threats.

Detective chief inspector Chas Maloney, of the Isle of Man Constabulary Serious and Organised Crime, Sensitive Intelligence Unit and Port Security, commented: ‘The multi-agency approach was to proactively identify, disrupt, and mitigate the threat, harm, and risk associated with organised crime impacting the island and its waters.

‘During the week of action, a number of vessels were successfully intercepted and stopped by joint teams.

‘Crucial intelligence gathered during these interventions is now actively being developed to map, exploit, and dismantle illicit networks, ensuring our maritime borders remain hostile to criminal activity and our community stays safe.’

Inspector Jon Dale, of the Isle of Man Constabulary Port Unit, added: ‘Operation Emstara has been a successful exercise in strengthening our regional maritime borders through close collaboration.

‘I would like to thank the Border Security Command and the crew of the HMC Valiant for their support during our joint patrol this week.

‘Working alongside the Joint Maritime Security Centre (JMSC), which provided coordinated tracking data and information, allowed us to successfully challenge and board vessels using both the Barrule and the HMC Valiant.

‘By sharing intelligence and assets across all partner agencies, we have reinforced our shared commitment to keeping our coastal waters and communities safe.’