# Commander's Decision Memorandum — 13 March 2026, 2030Z

**From:** Commodore (OF-6) Halvor Sletten, Commander SNMG2
**To:** Officer of the Deck FGS *Wernicke* / HMCS *Charlottetown*
**Re:** Engagement decisions for Tracks of Interest TOI-A and TOI-B under DP-3 (OPLAN SNMG2-25-OPLAN-031)
**Classification (demo):** UNCLASSIFIED / RELEASABLE FOR TRAINING

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## Background

The Intelligence Fusion Product dated 13 March 2026 1800Z assesses with medium-to-high confidence that *M/V Polaris Star* (IMO 9347182) will rendezvous with *M/V Wasilla Trader* (IMO 9421887) at approximately **35°15′N 26°45′E** between **14 March 0400Z and 0900Z** to execute a ship-to-ship transfer of crude petroleum in breach of UNSCR 2683 (2024) sanctions on Eltheria.

JAG concurs that the assessment supports DP-3 actions short of boarding without referral to NATO HQ MARCOM.

## Decision

I direct the following actions, effective immediately and binding on the OOD throughout the assessed rendezvous window:

1. **Maintain visible-presence approach** on both tracks. FGS *Wernicke* will close to 4 NM on *Polaris Star* (TOI-A) and HMCS *Charlottetown* to 4 NM on *Wasilla Trader* (TOI-B) by 14 March 0300Z. Maintain that posture until the rendezvous is complete or aborted.
2. **Bridge-to-bridge hail** is authorised at OOD discretion once either vessel transmits a maneuvering signal consistent with STS rendezvous (slowing to bare steerage, fender deployment, manifold rigging visible).
3. **Demand AIS-on** during the hail. Record refusal and continued AIS-off as evidence under UNSCR 2683 monitoring.
4. **Boarding** is **NOT** authorised at this time. If hail is refused or AIS remains off, JAG and I will draft and submit a boarding-authority request to NATO HQ MARCOM, with target response by 14 March 1200Z.
5. **Greek NCAGS liaison** has been pre-briefed for civil-shipping deconfliction in the 35°00′–35°30′N / 26°30′–27°00′E area during the window.
6. **AWACS** sortie SE-26-032 is committed to provide overhead surveillance from 14 March 0330Z to 0930Z.
7. **No engagement of *Vostok-3*** if it transits east of the line 27°00′E. Any contact west of that line escalates to me for personal decision.

## Restrictions (ROE summary)

- No use of force.
- No deployment of RHIB boats outside organic SAR posture.
- No surface fire of any kind.
- Defensive maneuvering only; if either vessel maneuvers aggressively, OOD will withdraw to 8 NM and request my decision.

## Reporting

- Initial OOD report at 14 March 0400Z (start of window).
- Hourly OPREP-3 during the window.
- Final OPREP-3 within 2 hours of rendezvous abort or completion.

## Acknowledgement

OOD shall acknowledge receipt of this memorandum on the secure tactical chat. JAG (LtCdr Magdalena Wójcik) is reading-in copy and remains on call.

**Signed,**
**Halvor Sletten**
**Commodore, NATO OF-6**
**Commander Standing NATO Maritime Group Two**