U.S. Ship Held in Venezuela for Arms Trafficking

[QUOTE=Sweat-n-Grease;81395]So no drugs were found and the weapons had been listed on the ship’s manifest and given clearance prior to entering port.

Reminds me of a Warren Zevon song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5puAN1PGQw[/QUOTE]

Well, we know that at least one of the three are already there. Hence the problems, no?

[QUOTE=cmakin;81583]Well, we know that at least one of the three are already there. Hence the problems, no?[/QUOTE]

What could possibly go wrong?

I can’t get a scrap of info, must be in a shadow.

Here is SIU’s official statement: http://www.seafarers.org/news/2012/Q3/SIUStatementonOceanAtlas.htm

[QUOTE=john;81614]Here is SIU’s official statement: http://www.seafarers.org/news/2012/Q3/SIUStatementonOceanAtlas.htm[/QUOTE]

Thanks John, it seems as if it’s in a shadow. No nuts-n-bolts info can be found anywhere or at least I can’t find any.

[QUOTE=john;81579]I also want to thank Father Oubre, president of Apostle Of The Sea ( http://www.aos-usa.org/ ). He’s a mariner himself and occasionally still sails out of the same union hall as the ship’s crew (SIU Houston) so he’s in contact with all the major players here in the US and the seaman’s churches in Venezuela to assist as needed.-John[/QUOTE]
I sailed with Father Sinclair Oubre back in the '90s. Great seaman and shipmate. He’s served on several maritime commitees and no greater advocate for the American seaman. Cigar smoking, Harley riding, AB and Priest.

On the hitch we sailed together, we had a pump failure and fire with 200K bbl gasoline on board. With all the skilled sailors on board and Tampa Fire Dept, I think an AB with 'higher connections" was a great asset!!

This situation is obviously a stunt to show Americans who has control in “Hugo land”. Ironically, it is the polar opposite of the red carpet treatment shown to the HOS Ironhorse when they were there placing 4 christmas trees for new prospective wells. They had an entourage of dignitaries and press come aboard to record the propaganda of the event…Ironhorse is being chartered by Technip for a three year contract in the region.

According to crewmember Russel Macomber’s Facebook page the charges against the Ocean Atlas have been dropped and the vessel will sail today or tomorrow…

K.C.

The vessel Ocean Atlas remains in Maracaibo, Venezuela. This is day 15.

K.C.

[QUOTE=Kennebec Captain;82152]The vessel Ocean Atlas remains in Maracaibo, Venezuela. This is day 15.

K.C.[/QUOTE]

And again today and, I’m told, tomorrow.

Let’s hope they get out of there before the weekend!

We should have sent a us navy destroyer to escort the ship into anchorage then called a general emergency aboard the ship and headed to sea. Once clear the ship could have swung by Cuba on the way home to allow any “local authorities” still aboard a chance to wave at their pinko cousins and get a few free meals at Gitmo!

[QUOTE=cmjeff;82357]We should have sent a us navy destroyer to escort the ship into anchorage then called a general emergency aboard the ship and headed to sea. Once clear the ship could have swung by Cuba on the way home to allow any “local authorities” still aboard a chance to wave at their pinko cousins and get a few free meals at Gitmo![/QUOTE]

Where is the “thanks” button. Oh, my son is a Gitmo right now. I bet he could arrange some special accommodations for them, too.

[QUOTE=cmakin;82421]Where is the “thanks” button.[/QUOTE]

The 'thanks" gizmo gets shy from time to time.

[QUOTE=cmakin;82421] Oh, my son is a Gitmo right now. I bet he could arrange some special accommodations for them, too.[/QUOTE]

Yes

From crewmember Russel Macomber’s Facebook page it looks like the Ocean Atlas has departed Maracaibo, Venezuela.

K.C.