Video appears to show a US Coast Guard ship sailing close to the Marinera, an empty oil tanker that has been trying to evade a US blockade near Venezuela. Footage published by Russia Today, a state-controlled media group, appeared to be filmed from on board Marinera, one of a Venezuelan “shadow fleet” of tankers carrying oil in breach of US and international sanctions. It shows a ship in the distance appearing to match the appearance of a US Coast Guard Legend-class cutter. The Marinera, formerly known as Bella 1, has renamed itself and painted a Russian flag on its side in an apparent bid for Russian protection.

Ship changed its name and registered in Russia in apparent attempt to prevent possible US seizure near British Isles

The Venezuelan tanker hastily painted a Russian flag on its side after fleeing US blockade in the Caribbean Sea