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The Sam Simon Intercepts Trawler as it Attempts to Flee Detention in Liberia

Monday, 26 Mar, 2018

A Guinean-flagged fishing trawler detained and under investigation by Liberian law enforcement authorities was arrested by the Liberian Coast Guard, with assistance from Sea Shepherd, as it attempted to evade justice by fleeing detention on March 15th, 2018.

The Liberian Coast Guard board the F/V Benty 1. Photo by Katie Mähler/Sea Shepherd.
Liberian Coast Guard inspect the holds of the F/V Benty 1. Photo by Katie Mähler/Sea Shepherd.
The Liberian Coast Guard inspect the F/V Benty 1 before putting the vessel under arrest. Photo by Katie Mähler/Sea Shepherd.
The Liberian Coast Guard secure the F/V Benty 1. Photo by Katie Mähler/Sea Shepherd.
The M/Y Sam Simon brings the F/V Benty 1 under tow. Photo by Katie Mähler/Sea Shepherd.

Taking advantage of a national holiday in Liberia, the F/V Benty 1 endeavored to slip away under the radar of authorities and make a break for international waters. A Liberian Coast Guard Boarding team on board the M/Y Sam Simon intercepted the F/V Benty 1 just 7 nautical miles from the border between Liberia and neighboring Sierra Leone. Investigators discovered the F/V Benty 1 to be in poor condition, with water entering through the shaft propeller requiring bilges to be pumped out once an hour. On boarding, the F/V Benty 1 feigned mechanical failure and was thus towed back to the Port of Monrovia where it was remanded in custody.

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