Oceanic-Tug

In October 2025, the 'Oceanic Tug' was seized in an operation conducted by the Servicio Nacional Aeronaval (Senan), Panama’s specialized force responsible for maritime security and anti-narcotics activities- A maritime patrol detected the vessel in Panamanian waters on the Pacific Ocean. Noticing the authorities' presence, the crew attempted to evade capture but was ultimately intercepted. The vessel was found to carry 13.5 metric tons of cocaine, with authorities confirming a street value approximating 200 million U.S. dollars. The seizure included 579 packages, securely packed in sacks, which suggestsed a high level of organization and planning by the traffickers. The operation resulted in the detention of ten crew members from Ecuador, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Peru, and Colombia. Their arrest underscoreds the transnational nature of modern drug trafficking networks and the diversity of nationalities involved. The seizure of the 'Oceanic Tug' shook the Panamanian maritime sector and the business world linked to maritime transport. Amid the repercussions of businessman Pablo Torres' resignation from the board of directors of the Panama Maritime Chamber, two lawyers with extensive experience offered their reactions, revealing opposing views on the potential criminal liability of those involved. Lawyer Marco Austin stated that the sale of the ship during an active investigation constitutes an act that could be classified as obstruction of justice. Both the previous and new owners were regarded as liable because it is understood that this is being done to cover up a crime. The Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) could also face criminal charges for failing to execute the order to detain the vessel in a timely manner. By not executing the order to detain the ship, the AMP could be subject to criminal liability from the Public Prosecutor's Office, which failed to do its job on time. The crime committed was an intentional omission to conceal the vessel. The lawyer also emphasized that the 'Oceanic Tug's purchase agreements should be reviewed without any problem, since they presented irregularities, especially now that they were verified by authorities during the raids. On the other side, lawyer Guillermo Cochez rejected the notion that the former owner of the ship was bearing any criminal responsibility if the sale was legitimate and the transfer was carried out according to the law. The ship no longer flies the Panamanian flag; it has another flag, and it has been sold three times. He has no connection to the incident, even though it's registered with the ABP. The 'Oceanic Tug' was registered in Panama in 2022, after being purchased in the United States and meeting all the inspection and certification requirements demanded by the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP). However, in May 2024, the vessel was sold and transferred to the Tanzanian registry, ceasing to be under direct Panamanian supervision. The businessman Pablo Torres stated that he sold the 'Oceanic Tug' in 2023. However, the vessel was still registered under the company Dolphin Tugs in the Panama Maritime Authority's (AMP) records. The controversy led to Torres' resignation from his position at the Maritime Chamber, while his business ties to figures from the previous administration, including the former AMP administrator, Noriel Araúz, and the then vice president, José Gabriel Carrizo, were once again called into question. The 'Oceanic Tug' had attempted to be reactivated under the White Tiger license, which had paid over $100,000 in back fees, but failed its safety inspection just a month ago. The Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) had issued a warrant for its arrest, but the vessel disappeared from radar until its capture in the largest anti-drug operation ever recorded in Panama. While the Public Prosecutor's Office continued to investigate the ramifications of this case, the maritime sector witnessed a clash of legal interpretations: for some, : The 'Oceanic Tug' is now under judicial custody.

The Coast Guard says divers have found no damage on a tug that went aground in Nelson Bay near Cordova. Coast Guard Lt. j.g. Allie Ferko says no injuries among the six-member crew or pollution were reported in the grounding of the Crowley Marine Services tug Bulwark Tuesday evening about 10 miles northeast of Cordova. Ferko said the grounding occurred as the crew prepared to anchor a barge. According to the Coast Guard, crew members freed the Bulwark later Tuesday but were ordered to stay put until divers could assess potential damage. Ferko said divers inspected the 136-foot tug Wednesday and found no damage. By Wednesday evening, she said the tug was under way to return to its homeport in Valdez. The Coast Guard is investigating the grounding Source : thenewstribune

USCG reported tug Bulwark grounded in Nelson Bay, Alaska, at around 1724 LT March 13, on a soft bottom. At 1936 tug reported refloating by own means, with no damages. Bulwark was anchoring a barge at the moment of grounding, barge was towed to Valdez by tug Guardian.