Arrested OSV does a runner in the Caribbean
An intriguing legal case is brewing in the Caribbean with an offshore support vessel on the run.
The Maridive 702 – registered to Maridive Mexico, a subsidiary of Maridive, one of Egypt’s largest shipowners, was arrested earlier this week in Aruba based on a $21m claim against the owners by Riverlake Solutions and Stalco Shipping & Brokerage. However, the master subsequently switched off the vessel’s AIS and sailed into international waters to avoid the arrest.
The decision to make a run for it is a criminal offence in the local jurisdiction, punishable by up to four years in prison with local legal experts telling Splash liability may extend to the directors and officers of Maridive.
Local authorities are trying to get the vessel to come back to Aruba waters. However, latest data from Splash partner MarineTraffic shows the Maridive 702’s status is ‘Underway’ with the vessel still in international waters.
Aruba is a Dutch holding, located 29 km north of the coast of Venezuela.
$21 million claim? What for?
This is becoming typical of Maridive’s present inexperienced management.
They’re facing several silly court cases in Egypt.