Coast Guard officials in Trinidad and Tobago fired at intruders who tried to board the wreck of a mysterious oil tanker that capsized off the Caribbean country months ago, its energy ministry said on Saturday.
The vessel, named Gulfstream and flying an unidentified flag, had spilled 50,000 barrels of oil near Tobago’s southern coast when it capsized in February and was found abandoned.
“There was an attempted unauthorized boarding of a support vessel by unidentified persons” on Friday evening, said the Department of Energy.
“Officers attached to the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard attended and intervened. There was an exchange of gunfire and a crew member suffered a non-life threatening injury.”
Tobago Emergency Management Agency
The Gulfstream had recently been refloated and taken for salvage to the Sea Lots area near Trinidad’s Port of Spain, where the attempted boarding took place.
Police say Sea Lots is a hot spot for gang activity. The ministry said it is working with the police and army to protect the site.
Gulfstream’s ownership remains a mystery. The “Solo Creed”, a barge that had been towing it when it capsized, had turned off its tracking beacon and then disappeared with the crew.
The Energy Ministry said in May that official requests had been made to Tanzania, Nigeria, Panama, Aruba and Curacao to help track down those responsible.
At the time of release, Prime Minister Keith Rowley said the country was grappling with a national emergency. Pictures and video released by the government showed crews working late into the night to stop the spread of the oil. Even the government posted satellite images on social media showing affected areas.
Trinidad and Tobago, famous for its beaches and carnival, is an island group with 1.4 million inhabitants.
Its proximity to Venezuela has made it a favorable stopping point for a variety of illicit trade.
About a week after the oil spill, a black plastic bag containing more than one kilo of cocaine washed up on a beach near where the barge capsized. It was not clear if the drugs were connected to the ship.