Satellite Image Reveals Initial Venezuela-Linked Tanker Seized by US is Currently Off the Texas Coast.
American agents boarding the vessel of the Skipper on 10 December.
Satellite imagery and ship tracking data has confirmed that the oil tanker Skipper – the initial vessel apprehended by the United States for reportedly carrying sanctioned crude from the Venezuelan regime – is now off the coast of the state of Texas.
A satellite firm's satellite imagery from 21 December shows the ship is in the vicinity of Galveston, while AIS vessel-tracking data from a maritime data service presently positions the vessel about 80km offshore.
The Skipper was seized by US authorities on 10 December and has been sanctioned by multiple nations. When it was seized, it was incorrectly sailing under the ensign of the nation of Guyana.
This seizure was followed by the capture of a second oil vessel, the Centuries. It – unlike the Skipper – was not under official restrictions when it was taken into US custody.
US authorities are currently pursuing a third such ship, which has been named by the maritime risk group Vanguard as the Bella 1 tanker. President Donald Trump stated yesterday that “it will ultimately be secured”.
Writing on the social media platform X, the TankerTrackers group noted the vessel Bella 1 has been “in transit for over a month” and, at an typical pace of 11 knots, may have “another 28 to 35 days of fuel left unless her velocity drops”.
The group further stated the vessel is “likely traveling south-east towards the South African coast”.
