Satellite Image Reveals Initial Venezuela-Linked Oil Ship Seized by American Authorities is Now Near the Texas Coast.
American agents roped onto the vessel of the tanker Skipper on 10 December.
Orbital data and vessel monitoring data has verified that the oil tanker named Skipper – the first vessel apprehended by the United States for reportedly transporting embargoed crude from the Venezuelan regime – is now off the coast of the state of Texas.
A satellite firm's satellite imagery dated 21 December shows the ship is in the vicinity of Galveston, while AIS vessel-tracking feeds from a maritime data service presently positions the Skipper about 50 miles from the coast.
The Skipper was seized by American officials on 10 December and has been sanctioned by several governments. When it was intercepted, it was incorrectly flying the flag of Guyana.
This seizure was followed by the interception of a second oil vessel, the Centuries. It – unlike the first vessel – was not under sanctions when it was brought under American control.
American agencies are currently pursuing a third such ship, which has been named by the maritime risk group Vanguard as the Bella 1 tanker. The US President stated yesterday that “it will ultimately be secured”.
Writing on X, the maritime monitoring group said the Bella 1 has been “underway for 39 days” and, at an average speed of 11 knots, may have “another 28 to 35 days of fuel remaining unless her velocity decreases”.
The group added the tanker is “likely traveling south-east towards the South African coast”.
