This morning a U.S. Navy special forces detachment flown into the United Kingdom executed a Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) operation on the Russian-flagged tanker Bella 1, ending a weeklong pursuit of the ship that involved U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Navy surface and air forces. A second ship, the M/T Sophia, was also seized by U.S. forces off the coast of Venezuela.
The operators were flown into by the U.S. Army’s 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment to board the Bella 1 off the coast of the United Kingdom, with support from Royal Navy assets that tracked the ship. According to the British Ministry of Defence, RFA Tideforce, an auxiliary tanker, and RAF surveillance aircraft supported the American mission. Ireland also supported the surveillance of Bella 1 with one of their new C295 maritime patrol aircraft.
Since the Bella 1 first escaped U.S. forces in the Caribbean, it changed its flag and name to become the Russian-flagged Marinera in an attempt to claim protection from Russia. The U.S. affirmed that the change did not impact its law enforcement effort on the tanker.
Based on publicly available flight tracking and imagery released, a U.S. Air Force KC-135R Stratotanker, MV-22 Osprey, MH-6 Little Bird(s) and pair of MC-130 special operations aircraft supported the seizure, alongside a U.S. Navy P-8 providing overwatch.
The Wall Street Journal reported this week that Russian forces had arrived in the area to defend the Bella 1, but when U.S. special operators arrived on a Little Bird helicopter to seize the ship, the crew did not resist. Images taken by Russian state media onboard the ship showed a Little Bird helicopter approaching the Bella 1 before its capture with no visible Russian forces in the immediate area.
A second ship, the M/T Sophia, was also seized by U.S. forces off the coast of Venezuela. According to U.S. Southern Command, the tanker was stateless and conducting illegal operations in international waters.
“M/T Sophia was operating in international waters and conducting illicit activities in the Caribbean Sea. The U.S. Coast Guard is escorting M/T Sophia to the U.S. for final disposition.”
USSOUTHCOM statement
Both ships are being evaluated by the U.S Coast Guard for final deposition in United States. The U.S. Navy did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the seizure operation.
