Washington, DC – RT reported on Tuesday that the US Coast Guard is attempting to intercept a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the North Atlantic, amid extremely adverse weather conditions including high winds, rough seas, and near-freezing temperatures.
The tanker’s owner, Purivist Marine, stated in a press release seen by RT that the Russian oil tanker, the M/T Marinera, has been under prolonged pursuit by the US Coast Guard for several hours. This comes amid warnings of a possible interception in what the company described as “dangerous and unsafe” conditions. The company clarified that the vessel, IMO number 9230880, is entirely civilian and commercial. It is not carrying any cargo or fuel and was en route to the Russian city of Murmansk at a speed of approximately 8.5 knots.
The statement added that the pursuit is being conducted under intensive aerial surveillance by US Navy P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft. This is occurring despite the ship’s captain repeatedly informing the ship’s captain of its identity, its civilian nature, and that it is not carrying any cargo. The company confirmed that these notifications have not led to an end to the pursuit.
Purefest Marine warned that weather conditions in the pursuit area are extremely harsh. Wind speeds reach approximately 20 meters per second with strong gusts, while wave heights exceed five meters, making any attempt to intercept the ship or land a helicopter on it “a serious and unjustified threat to the lives of the crew members as well as to the US military personnel themselves.”
The company noted that the tanker’s crew includes citizens of Russia, Ukraine, and Georgia, emphasizing that the vessel is purely civilian and poses no threat. It called on the United States to exercise restraint and urged that the situation be addressed in accordance with international maritime law, expressing doubts about the wisdom of a risky military operation against an empty oil tanker.
The company concluded its statement by stressing that it had instructed the ship’s crew to fully comply with international and Russian law. It also reiterated that the safety of the vessel and its crew is its top priority.
