A SHIP at the centre of drug smuggling allegations in the South Pacific, the MV Raider, (IMO 9032824) has been guided into Sydney Harbour.
This follows reports that the crew were in distress.
Last January, the Togo-flagged vessel was intercepted in international waters by French law enforcement authorities.
The French authorities tossed the cargo of 4.8 tonnes of cocaine into the ocean after its discovery, prompting widespread debate about the rights of state authorities to board ships on the high seas.
A spokesperson for the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) said they received “a distress call from the vessel MV Raider on Thursday 12 March 2026, reporting a shortage of food and fuel”.
“AMSA coordinated the response, consistent with its search and rescue role for people in distress in Australian waters,” the spokesperson told DCN.
“This includes providing food and water and ensuring the vessel’s safe passage to an appropriate place of safety.”
The ship was escorted into Sydney Harbour by NSW Police and is currently moored at Snails Bay.
None of the crew have been arrested or charged with any offence.
ITF Australia coordinator Ian Bray was quoted in the media as expressing concern for the crew given their apparent lack of food and water.
"This isn't a case of people that are seeking asylum, or anything else, they just want to do their job and go back to their families,” Mr Bray told Nine News.
Read earlier analysis from lawyer Stephen Thompson about the MV Raider and the right of flag states to board ships.