Four days after the U.S. Coast Guard attempted to board the supertanker Bella 1, the ship remains free but playing the role of O.J. Simpson's white Ford Bronco leading the California Highway Patrol on a slow-motion chase.
The drama started Sunday when the U.S. Coast Guard, working as part of Operation Southern Spear, intercepted and attempted to board the Bella 1 as it was inbound to Venezuela, see Report: Coast Guard Now Targeting Another Sanctioned Oil Ship Off Venezuela – RedState. This was in keeping with the new policy of the Trump administration of creating an embargo on Venezuelan oil exports. Two previous tankers had been seized without incident, I mean, other than by leftists bleating over the temerity of Trump and Hegseth doing something to enforce U.S. sanctions other than saying vaguely threatening words, see New: USCG Snags Second Sanctioned Ship Off Coast of Venezuela – RedState.
Instead of meekly submitting, the captain of the Bella 1 refused to permit boarding and headed out to international waters. Not only is the captain's behavior inexplicable, but the fact that the Bella 1 was empty when boarding was attempted adds to the curiosity factor.
12/22 VENEZUELA
— Paulo Jorge (photo P.J., LA 1989) (@PauloCruzJCO) December 22, 2025
US FORCES ARE NO LONGER PURSUING THIRD TANKER, BELLA1 (AXIOS/M Allen)
U.S. WAS NEVER ABOARD
Since ship was empty
Easy to find out: draft above water
2024 US Treasury sanctioned Bella 1 f/allegedly transporting cargo aiming Hezbollah and Iran's elite Quds Force
PJ pic.twitter.com/vNdBjaWC9H
The U.S. Treasury Department has sanctioned the Bella 1 for its role in running Iranian oil.
Between October 2021 and September 2025, the US OFAC-sanctioned BELLA 1 (9230880) had directly exported 7.3 million barrels of Iranian crude oil, as well as 3.7 million barrels of Venezuelan crude oil; both to China.
— TankerTrackers.com, Inc. (@TankerTrackers) December 21, 2025
She has also received (via STS transfer) 7.4 million barrels… pic.twitter.com/n0ZGyCs1pZ
The ownership of the ship is unclear, though some registries show it to be owned by Istanbul-based Louis Marine Shipholding Enterprises S.A. It had been registered in Panama, but it was showing Guyana registration on AIS, the marine transponder system. There is no record of it being registered anywhere, making it a "stateless" vessel.
NEW: The BELLA 1 oil tanker has REFUSED to be boarded by the U.S. Coast Guard, who is now in “active pursuit” of the vessel. w/ @NickNehamas @tylerpager @AKurmanaev @EricSchmittNYT https://t.co/RSDn4movzR pic.twitter.com/f9g3Dgq6l3
— Christiaan Triebert (@trbrtc) December 21, 2025
According to reports, the Coast Guard is readying a Maritime Security Response Team to force a boarding. The ship's behavior indicates it is engaged in illicit activities; for instance, not only did it refuse to submit to a boarding, but it also transmitted continuous distress signals as it fled.
Crude oil tanker BELLA 1 (IMO 9230880), under US OFAC sanctions, has been transmitting repeated HF DSC distress alerts (All Ships) for ~2 hours near 18N 58W.
— NewsFromSea (@riskiomap) December 21, 2025
Multiple distress relays by nearby vessels and MRCCs.
Situation appears ongoing. #Distress #Bella1 pic.twitter.com/ABO1ghP4Am
Plus, the optics of a ship moving at a blazing 12 mph, foiling a boarding effort by the Coast Guard, would not present much of a deterrent. In fact, it might encourage resistance by other targets.
Editor’s Note: Do you enjoy RedState’s conservative reporting that takes on the radical left and woke media? Support our work so that we can continue to bring you the truth.
Join RedState VIP and use the promo code MERRY74 to receive 74% off your membership.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member