Sea-Horse Ship Details and Seafarer Feedback

**Title: 'Sea Horse' Alters Course: Is the Cuban Destination Off the Table?** The product tanker 'Sea Horse' seems to have changed its plans, possibly due to external pressures regarding its route to Cuba. Initially thought to be transporting Russian diesel to the island nation, the vessel has now unexpectedly changed its course, stopping in the mid-Atlantic. Recent updates from its Automatic Identification System (AIS) reveal that the ship is now en route to Puerto Cabello, with an estimated time of arrival set for March 24. In a significant maneuver, the 'Sea Horse' has taken a sharp turn to the south and is currently heading towards Trinidad. This isn't the first time the 'Sea Horse' has employed tactics to obscure its true intentions. The tanker has a history of using various methods to avoid detection, including turning off its AIS and claiming to be “not under command” during its previous voyages. While it was initially anticipated that the vessel could reach Cuba within days, current analyses suggest that it might be pausing its journey to seek alternative buyers for its cargo instead. Experts are closely monitoring this situation as the implications of its altered trajectory could lead to significant developments in maritime trade and international relations.

**Title: After Three Weeks Adrift, 'Sea Horse' Resumes Journey Toward the Caribbean** Content: The tanker 'Sea Horse' has successfully resumed its voyage after an extensive three-week period adrift under the status of Not Under Command (NUC). On March 17, around 8 p.m. UTC, the vessel set sail once again, making its way toward the Caribbean with a valuable cargo of 200,000 barrels of Russian oil bound for Cuba. By the morning of March 18, 'Sea Horse' was recorded traveling at a steady speed of nine knots, with coordinates at Latitude 27.5189 and Longitude -59.5507. This development marks a significant turn for the vessel after its prolonged drift.

**Title: Adrift in the North Pacific: The Sea Horse and Its Perilous Journey** On February 25, the oil tanker 'Sea Horse', laden with 200,000 barrels of diesel destined for Cuba, ventured into the treacherous waters of the Old Bahama Channel. This narrow and heavily patrolled corridor is known for its perilous navigation and is considered part of the U.S. exclusion zone. As the vessel navigated this high-risk area, it fell within the operational range of U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, which are deployed from bases located in Jacksonville and Key West. Shortly after entering the channel, the 'Sea Horse' entered a state of "dark sailing," significantly reducing its AIS signal updates, with the last report indicating its position less than 24 hours prior. The tanker was located approximately 300 nautical miles northeast of Cuba's eastern coastline and had ceased its journey, drifting aimlessly in the North Atlantic Ocean. As of March 2, the vessel's status was logged as NUC (Not Under Command) at coordinates 30° 29' N and 053° 55' W. On March 3, reports emerged that the tanker had altered its course away from Cuba. Having been adrift for several days, the 'Sea Horse' was now moving further from the island as the naval blockade led by the USS 'Southern Spear' intensified. With the ship still loaded with a full cargo of diesel, crucial deliveries remained pending. Amid speculation, Russian officials categorically denied any active naval escort for the 'Sea Horse' during this critical transit. Prior sightings of U.S. Coast Guard operations in the Bahamas pointed to efforts to visually identify the vessel, particularly as there were concerns regarding its AIS signals being manipulated or turned off intermittently. Meanwhile, Cuban authorities have opted for a media blackout, presumably to protect strategic information regarding the ship’s potential docking point — with Matanzas speculated to be the most probable destination due to its well-equipped unloading facilities. The timeframe from February 27 to March 1 was pivotal; should the 'Sea Horse' successfully navigate the Bahama Strait undetected, it would enter into Cuban territorial waters, thus limiting U.S. legal intervention without breaching sovereignty. The anticipated window for potential arrival was between March 2 and March 4. It’s important to note that the Russian Embassy in Havana issued a statement on February 23 denying any naval protection for the 'Sea Horse', leaving the vessel to navigate the perilous waters unescorted. In the Caribbean, a formidable U.S. naval presence monitored the situation, including the USS 'Stockdale', an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer tracking the 'Sea Horse' since its departure from Venezuela’s vicinity. In recent weeks, this destroyer has halted tanker movements in the region. Also, the USS 'Truxtun' had recently arrived from Norfolk, while the USS 'Gerald R. Ford' (CVN 78) and its strike group provided extensive radar and air surveillance via E-2D Hawkeye aircraft. Additionally, amphibious transport ships, USS 'San Antonio' and USS 'Fort Lauderdale', were poised to launch boarding operations as tactical response teams. The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) cutters, tasked with enforcing regulations in international waters, had activated an emergency order effective until 2026. Among them, the USCGC 'Stone', the most advanced cutter in the fleet, was reported patrolling the Windward Passage, strategically closing southern routes to Santiago de Cuba and Matanzas. As the situation develops, vigilance remains paramount, with the stakes high for all parties involved in this high-seas drama.

The 'Sea Horse' was allegedly en route to Cuba carrying ~200,000 barrels of Russian-origin fuel, received in a ship-to-ship transfer with the 'E Pioneer' off the coast of Cyprus, for power generation and transport use, challenging the blockade imposed to the U.S. If confirmed, the shipment could fall under U.S. sanctions review depending on the ownership, the flag, insurers, and cargo documentation. The vessel was transiting the Atlantic and expected to arrive to in early March 2026. The vessel was underway at around nibe knots. Cuba, which relies heavily on imported fuels for electricity generation and transportation, has experienced severe supply constraints since the start of the year.

The US Coast Guard medevaced a 48-year-old man from the "Chembulk New York" 290 miles southwest of Point Loma, San Diego, on Aug 28, 2018. The tanker contacted Coast Guard Sector San Diego’s Joint Harbor Operations Center watchstanders at approximately 4:15 p.m. on Aug 27, requesting assistance for a crew member experiencing symptoms of a heart attack. At the time of the report, the vessel was approximately 370 miles southwest of San Diego. The vessel adjusted course toward San Diego to facilitate a medevac. A Coast Guard Sector San Diego MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew launched at approximately 10:45 p.m. Monday to assist. Due to the distance from shore, a Coast Guard Air Station Sacramento C-27 Spartan crew also launched to provide radio coverage. At approximately 1:30 a.m. on Aug 28, the Jayhawk crew arrived on scene and hoisted the man into the helicopter. The crew arrived at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla at approximately 3:30 a.m., and transferred the patient to the hospital’s care. The man was reported to be in stable condition.