The U.S. military is closely tracking the sanctioned crude carrier formerly known as Bella 1—now sailing as Marinera—after it fled an “active pursuit” by the U.S. Coast Guard near Venezuela in December and headed toward Russia, with P‑8 surveillance aircraft and a surge of C‑17 traffic into RAF Fairford fuelling speculation that U.S. special forces could attempt an at‑sea takeover as the ship now sits about 250 miles off Ireland. Listed by the U.S. Treasury since 2024 for allegedly moving illicit cargo for a Hezbollah‑linked firm and previously hauling Venezuelan and Iranian oil, the vessel has reportedly sailed dark with its transponder off, rebranded and even had a Russian flag painted on its hull as Washington extends its post‑Maduro‑raid naval squeeze on Venezuelan oil flows.