A Russia-linked oil tanker which was seized by the United States earlier this month has entered UK waters, the British government said Wednesday.
The Marinera, a Russian-flagged vessel previously known as Bella-1, was seen in waters in the north of Scotland with a US Coast Guard vessel after being captured in the North Atlantic last week.
“The Bella-1 entered UK waters to be replenished with essential supplies – including food and water for the crew – earlier today before it continues its onward journey,” a UK government spokesperson said on Wednesday.
Britain said last week it had provided support to Washington during the US operation to seize the tanker in the North Atlantic, which was condemned by Moscow.
The vessel had thwarted an earlier attempt to board it in December near Venezuela, where a US raid earlier this month toppled the country’s authoritarian president, Nicolas Maduro.
Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney however expressed dismay that he had only heard about the tanker being in the Scottish inlet of Moray Firth via media reports.
“I would have expected to have been briefed in advance about steps to accommodate the tanker in the Moray Firth,” he told the Press Association news agency.
“I’m deeply concerned that I have not been and these issues have been raised with the United Kingdom Government and we’re trying to seek information about this.”
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