[Paul Ross]

A cargo vessel, feared to be on an al-Qaeda suicide mission, came within 800 yards of RFA Sir Bedivere during a tense hour-long stand-off. Crew members trained two machineguns on the 500-tonne ship, The stand-off ended only when it was driven away by the heavily armed USS Ardent.

This was extremely suspicious behavior by the cargo ship. Why was it not sunk outright? Or boarded?? Meanwhile, I hereby do offer the proper salutation for the vote of Parliament...

[AlextheWise1]

500 tons is a tiny ship. A medium sized trawler maybe.