The United States seized a tanker ship attempting to evade US forces after departing Venezuelan waters, according to officials. The operation, executed before dawn by Marines and sailors in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security, targeted a vessel suspected of carrying embargoed oil, as stated by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. The ship, sailing under a false flag and previously sanctioned for involvement in Russian oil shipments, was allegedly trying to breach a US naval blockade in the Caribbean. This seizure follows the earlier seizure of two other tankers linked to Venezuelan oil exports in separate operations, including the Russian-flagged Marinera, which was falsely flying the flag of Guyana.
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The United States seized the Russian-flagged oil tanker Marinera in the North Atlantic and another sanctioned tanker, the M/T Sophia, in the Caribbean Sea, citing violations of U.S. sanctions related to Venezuela. The Marinera, formerly known as the Bella 1, had been tracked for weeks after attempting to evade a U.S. blockade and change its flag to Russia. Russia has condemned the seizures as violations of maritime law, while U.S. officials state the actions were part of efforts to stabilize Venezuela. The operation also involved the UK and follows rising tensions between Washington and Moscow.
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The United States seized a tanker off the coast of Venezuela carrying sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran, citing its role in supporting foreign terrorist organizations, according to U.S. officials. The vessel, identified as the Skipper, was transporting over a million barrels of crude oil, likely destined for Cuba. Caracas condemned the action as an attack on its natural resources and accused the U.S. of acting as criminals, while President Maduro warned of potential conflict. This seizure, occurring after a declared closure of Venezuelan airspace, has raised concerns that it may be a step towards an oil blockade and escalation of the conflict.
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The Guyana Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) has condemned the illegal use of the country’s flag after a U.S. seizure of an oil tanker falsely claiming Guyanese registration. The U.S. authorities informed Guyana about the interception of the Motor Tanker SKIPPER, which was operating under Guyana’s flag despite not being registered there. MARAD is collaborating with international partners to address the unauthorized use of its flag, noting the concerning trend of vessels fraudulently operating under it. The U.S. seized the sanctioned tanker for its involvement in an illicit oil-shipping network, while Venezuela has condemned the action as theft.
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A tragic boating accident in Clearwater, Florida, resulted in one fatality and multiple injuries, prompting the declaration of a mass casualty event. This raises some interesting points about terminology and the challenges involved in such incidents. The initial reports of a mass casualty event, with only one death reported, sparked considerable debate online. Many questioned the use of “mass casualty” in this context, arguing that the term implies a significantly larger number of casualties than one death.
The confusion stems from the definition of “casualty” itself. While many associate the term solely with fatalities, the definition actually encompasses both deaths and injuries.… Continue reading
Estonia’s navy detained the Kiwala, a Russia-linked tanker, in its territorial waters for violating maritime law by sailing without a national flag while en route to a Russian port. The ship, flagged in Djibouti according to MarineTraffic but lacking proper documentation at the time of interception, was part of the “shadow fleet” evading Western sanctions on Russian oil. Authorities are investigating the vessel’s activities and legal status. This marks Estonia’s first operation targeting this sanctioned oil trade.
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The Panamanian-flagged oil tanker Eventin, carrying nearly 100,000 tons of oil from Russia to Egypt, lost power and steering off Germany’s coast. Three tugboats are attempting to secure the vessel, which German authorities believe is part of Russia’s “shadow fleet” used to circumvent sanctions. Despite heavy seas, no oil leaks have been reported. German officials condemned Russia’s use of dilapidated tankers, citing risks to both the environment and regional tourism.
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The Panamanian-flagged tanker Eventin, carrying 99,000 tonnes of oil and suspected to be part of Russia’s shadow fleet, is being towed eastward by three tugboats after a power outage left it adrift near Germany. This maneuver provides more open water to the south, mitigating potential risks. While the final destination is unclear, German authorities confirm no external damage or environmental threat. The incident follows other recent tanker incidents in the Baltic, highlighting ongoing maritime safety concerns in the region.
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Finnish investigators have linked the seized tanker Eagle S to damage inflicted upon subsea power and data cables. A seabed drag mark, stretching dozens of kilometers, has been traced to the vessel’s anchor, which is missing. The damaged 170-kilometer power cable connecting Finland and Estonia, severed on December 25th, is the focus of the investigation, alongside disruptions to four data cables. The Eagle S, detained for possible aggravated criminal mischief, is currently anchored near Kilpilahti port while poor weather conditions hinder further investigation.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood