Overview
- Coast Guard forces suspended a planned boarding after the crew painted a Russian flag on the hull and documents later showed the vessel re-registered as Marinera with Sochi as port of registry.
- U.S. officials say the tanker was operating under a false flag when the pursuit began and was under a court seizure order, making it subject to boarding under international law.
- The ship’s transponder has been off since Dec. 17, and officials report it altered course with indications it may be heading toward Greenland or Iceland, leaving its exact position unclear.
- Specialized boarding teams remain prepared and are awaiting potential White House authorization as diplomats seek clarity on the vessel’s current legal status.
- The tanker is sanctioned for transporting Iranian oil, is owned by Turkey-based Louis Marine Shipholding Enterprises, and is described as part of a shadow fleet used to move restricted crude.