Coast Guard Officers Fire on Intruders Attempting to Board Capsized Oil Tanker in Trinidad and Tobago
The Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard engaged in gunfire with unidentified intruders attempting to board the wreck of the Gulfstream, an oil tanker that capsized off the Caribbean nation’s southern coast earlier this year, CBS News reports, citing the energy ministry.
The Gulfstream, which was sailing under an unidentified flag, capsized in February, spilling around 50,000 barrels of oil into the sea. The vessel was discovered abandoned. After efforts to refloat and salvage it, the ship was relocated to the Sea Lots area near Port of Spain, where the incident in question took place.
The energy ministry said that the unauthorized boarding emerged aboard a support vessel, with from Coast Guard personnel intervening. One member of the response crew sustained a minor wound in the shootout.
Sea Lots is known for its high levels of gang activity, and the government is currently collaborating with police and military forces to secure the salvaging site.
The ownership of the Gulfstream remains a mystery, as the “Solo Creed,” a barge that was towing it at the time of the incident, had disabled its tracking beacon and subsequently vanished, along with its crew. In May, the energy ministry sought assistance from Tanzania, Nigeria, Panama, Aruba, and Curacao in locating those responsible for the vessel.
In the aftermath of the oil spill, Prime Minister Keith Rowley declared a national emergency as government crews worked to stem the spread of oil in affected areas.
Trinidad and Tobago, an archipelago home to 1.4 million residents, is renowned for its picturesque beaches and vibrant carnival celebrations. However, its proximity to Venezuela has made it a hotspot for various illicit trafficking activities. Notably, a week after the oil spill, a black plastic bag containing over a kilogram of cocaine washed ashore near the site of the barge’s capsizing, raising questions about potential links to the Gulfstream incident.
