Imagery Image Reveals Initial Venezuela-Linked Tanker Confiscated by American Authorities is Currently Off the Texas Coast.
US personnel boarding the vessel of the Skipper on 10 December.
Satellite imagery and vessel monitoring data has verified that the crude carrier Skipper – the first vessel seized by the US for reportedly carrying embargoed crude from the Venezuelan regime – is currently off the coast of Texas.
A satellite firm's orbital photographs dated 21 December shows the ship is in the vicinity of the port of Galveston, while AIS vessel-tracking feeds from a maritime data service currently positions the Skipper about 50 miles from the coast.
The tanker Skipper was seized by US authorities on 10 December and has been sanctioned by multiple governments. At the time it was intercepted, it was incorrectly sailing under the flag of Guyana.
This seizure was succeeded by the capture of a another tanker, the Centuries. It – in contrast to the Skipper – was not under official restrictions when it was brought under US custody.
US authorities are currently pursuing a third ship, which has been identified by the risk management group a risk firm as the Bella 1. The US President stated yesterday that “it will ultimately be secured”.
Writing on X, the TankerTrackers group said the vessel Bella 1 has been “underway for 39 days” and, at an average speed of 11 nautical miles per hour, may have “another 28 to 35 days of diesel remaining unless her speed drops”.
The group further stated the vessel is “likely heading south-east towards South Africa”.
