Sky-Rider Vessel Reviews and Specifications

The International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) has flagged the vessel SKY RIDER (IMO: 9208124) for abandonment, raising concerns over the welfare of its crew. This distressing situation unfolded in Sharjah, UAE, where the ship is currently docked under the flag of Cameroon. As of November 1, 2025, a total of 19 seafarers onboard the SKY RIDER, hailing from Georgia and Russia, have been reported. While specific details about the owed wages remain to be confirmed, the case has been officially categorized as 'Open' in the ITF's records. The ITF Seafarers abandonment list meticulously monitors instances of crew abandonment across the globe, providing essential updates on the status of maritime workers. This recent report emphasizes the ongoing challenges faced by seafarers and highlights the urgent need for intervention in abandonment cases.

On July 12, 2025, the Palau-flagged tanker 'Sky Rider' was held in Valparaiso due to a total of 16 deficiencies, three of which were classified as serious enough to warrant a detention. The critical issues included: 1) Fire safety - Inoperative fire dampers, 2) Safety of navigation - Long Range Identification and Tracking System (LRIT) not functioning, and 3) Radio communications - INMARSAT ship/earth station not meeting required standards. The vessel was subsequently released on July 15 and was anchored at position 33° 01' N 071° 36' W as of July 16. This recent detainment follows another incident earlier on June 22 in Arica, where 'Sky Rider' faced four deficiencies. The ongoing compliance issues raise concerns about the tanker’s operational safety and regulatory adherence.

In a significant enforcement action, US authorities have seized four tankers that were en route to Venezuela with gasoline, citing violations of sanctions originally imposed on the country as of August 13, 2020. The captured vessels – identified as the 'Luna', 'Pandi', 'Bering', and 'Bella' – were apprehended in recent days following a federal judge's approval of the seizure. At the time of interception, the ships were headed towards Houston, Texas. The 'Bering' and 'Bella' were reportedly navigating through the waters of Cape Verde when the legal proceedings for their seizure were initiated in July. Meanwhile, the latest tracking signals for the 'Pandi' and 'Luna' indicated their last known locations near Oman. According to the lawsuit, the fuel shipment was allegedly orchestrated by an Iranian businessman linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which the US designates as a terrorist organization. The operation was purportedly shielded through a series of front companies to evade detection by US authorities. This latest seizure marks a continued escalation of pressure on both Tehran and Caracas, both of which have faced extensive economic sanctions from the United States aimed at curtailing their activities.

On December 5, 2012, a floating crane named Tuzla collided with the German chemical tanker Baltic Chief I while the tanker was anchored in the Kerch Strait of the Black Sea. The incident occurred when Tuzla, which was being towed, drifted towards the tanker after its towline snapped. Fortunately, no significant damage was reported, and there were no spills or injuries resulting from the allision. For more updates, visit Maritime Bulletin at http://www.odin.tc.