OffshoreOperations

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.

Sam Chambers

Starting out with the Informa Group in 2000 in Hong Kong, Sam Chambers became editor of Maritime Asia magazine as well as East Asia Editor for the world’s oldest newspaper, Lloyd’s List. In 2005 he pursued a freelance career and wrote for a variety of titles including taking on the role of Asia Editor at Seatrade magazine and China correspondent for Supply Chain Asia. His work has also appeared in The Economist, The New York Times, The Sunday Times and The International Herald Tribune.

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