The near simultaneous arrival of the tanker Marinera, reflagged by Russia, after being formerly known as the Bella 1, in waters near Ireland’s exclusive economic zone, and of U.S. special forces at two U.S. airbases in England, has sparked speculation that the U.S. military is preparing to seize the ship. As the Bella 1, the tanker has previously transported oil from Iran and Venezuela.
On Jan. 5, CBS News cited two unnamed U.S. officials as saying that American forces plan to intercept it. The two U.S. officials said the interdiction mission could come as early as this week, but like any Defense Department plans, the operation could ultimately be shelved. They said the U.S. would rather seize the ship than sink it (does this mean the United States will sink it if U.S. forces can’t board it?—ed.) and said the operation could be similar to the one conducted last month when U.S. Marines and special operation forces, working with the U.S. Coast Guard, seized The Skipper, a large crude oil tanker flagged out of Guyana, after the vessel had left port in Venezuela.
According to the British Forces Broadcasting Service BFBS Forces News, citing flight tracking data and local eyewitness reports, at least ten C-17 flights have landed at the two bases, RAF Mildenhall and RAF Fairford, and unloaded special forces helicopters which have subsequently been seen on low-altitude flights. At least two AC-130J gunships have also been seen. Flight tracking data also show a heavy presence of US Navy P-8A aircraft flying patrols over Irish waters.
“While some elements of the activity may be attributable to routine training, the timing, platform mix and geographic focus closely align with known requirements for a compliant or non-compliant maritime boarding operation,” says the U.K. Defence Journal news website. “The continued presence of P-8 aircraft in particular suggests sustained intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance coverage over shipping lanes connected to the tanker’s projected route.”
