The Royal Navy Is Hog-Tied by Red Tape, as the US Navy Kicks Ass
21st April 2026
We saw two very different approaches to maritime enforcement operations on display at the weekend.
On the one hand, we have emerging reports that one of the reasons we have yet to board-and-search any of the dark fleet ships that are passing through British waters is that the cost of finding a port for them to reside in after the seizure takes place is too high.
On the other, we had the USS Spruance enforcing the US blockade of Iran by engaging a commercial container ship with her five-inch gun.