Imagery Image Shows Initial Venezuela-Linked Tanker Seized by American Authorities is Currently Near the Texas Coast.
US agents boarding the vessel of the tanker Skipper on 10 December.
Satellite imagery and vessel monitoring data has confirmed that the crude carrier named Skipper – the initial vessel apprehended by the US for reportedly carrying sanctioned oil from the Venezuelan regime – is currently positioned near of Texas.
A satellite firm's satellite imagery dated 21 December indicates the ship is in the vicinity of the port of Galveston, while Automatic Identification System vessel-tracking data from a maritime data service currently positions the Skipper about 50 miles offshore.
The tanker Skipper was taken into custody by American officials on 10 December and has been sanctioned by several governments. At the time it was intercepted, it was falsely sailing under the ensign of Guyana.
This interception was succeeded by the capture of a another tanker, the Centuries tanker. It – in contrast to the first vessel – was not under sanctions when it was taken into US custody.
US authorities are currently pursuing a third such ship, which has been identified by the risk management group a risk firm as the Bella 1. President Donald Trump stated yesterday that “it will ultimately be secured”.
Writing on X, the maritime monitoring group noted the vessel Bella 1 has been “underway for 39 days” and, at an average speed of 11 nautical miles per hour, may have “approximately a month of fuel left unless her speed drops”.
The group further stated the vessel is “probably heading in a southeasterly direction towards the South African coast”.
