🔗 Share this article Satellite Image Shows First Venezuela-Linked Tanker Seized by American Authorities is Currently Near the Texas Coast. US agents roped onto the deck of the tanker Skipper on December 10th. Orbital data and vessel monitoring information has confirmed that the crude carrier Skipper – the first vessel seized by the US for reportedly carrying sanctioned oil from Venezuela – is currently off the coast of Texas. Vantor satellite imagery from 21 December indicates the tanker is in the vicinity of the port of Galveston, while AIS vessel-tracking data from a maritime data service presently places the Skipper about 50 miles offshore. The Skipper was seized by US authorities on 10 December and has been sanctioned by several nations. At the time it was seized, it was incorrectly sailing under the ensign of the nation of Guyana. This interception was succeeded by the interception of a second tanker, the Centuries tanker. It – unlike the first vessel – was not yet under official restrictions when it was brought under American control. US authorities are currently targeting a third such vessel, which has been named by the maritime risk group a risk firm as the Bella 1 tanker. The US President said yesterday that “it will ultimately be secured”. Writing on X, the TankerTrackers group noted the Bella 1 has been “underway for over a month” and, at an average speed of 11 knots, may have “approximately a month of fuel remaining unless her speed decreases”. The group further stated the tanker is “likely heading south-east towards the South African coast”.