Two large oil tankers, said to have been on their way to Venezuela, were reportedly seen anchored in international waters outside Anguilla.
It appears that persons were of the opinion that, as Anguilla has an economic fishing zone of 200 nautical miles to the north, the vessels were in fact in the island’s territorial waters.
For the national record, this was cleared up in the Anguilla House of Assembly on Tuesday, May 21, 2019, by Premier Victor Banks following a question from the Leader of the Opposition, Ms. Palmavon Webster.
Ms. Webster, who resides at Island Harbour, with full view of the seascape, stated in part:
“Many citizens of Anguilla have been concerned and anxious about the persistent presence of a large marine vessel anchored off the north eastern coast of Anguilla, and the nature, purpose and mission of this marine vessel.
“Question: Will the Honourable Premier indicate whether he is aware, and whether he knows whether the Governor and/or the Deputy Governor are aware of the persistent presence of this large vessel stationed within the territorial waters of Anguilla, what its purpose is and how long it is expected to remain?”
Premier Banks was quoted as replying that “two very large crude oil tankers –Delta KANARIS and Delta COMMANDER – were anchored in international waters close to Anguilla over the past months.”
He further stated that “the Anguilla Maritime Administration and Shipping Registry, Her Majesty’s Customs and the Royal Anguilla Police Force, were aware of both situations and at each occurrence the vessels were monitored daily via VHF and marine traffic websites.”
The Premier noted that “on the first occasion, a visit was made to the vessel in question by the Royal Anguilla Police Force with assistance from the Dutch Marine Unit.” He emphasised that “at no occasion were the vessels anchored within the territorial waters of Anguilla.” He pointed out that “according to GPS readings, the vessels were anchored in international waters which they were entitled to do under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.”
The Premier was also quoted as saying that the Governor told him that “due to the ongoing political situation in Venezuela ,and the sanctions imposed by the US Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control on some named vessels operating between Venezuela and Cuba, other vessels are also not entering Venezuela waters – and are instead anchoring in international waters as they are entitled to do.”
Premier Banks was further quoted as saying that “the Head of Trade and Investment of the British Embassy in Caracas, Venezuela, provided the background information to the Governor’s Office on this matter.”
