Missing Ship Off West Africa

This AP report suggests the Cape Verde Coast Guard has located the Arctic Sea, previously discussed here and here.

A Russian-manned cargo ship that vanished last month in the Atlantic was found Friday near Cape Verde off the coast of West Africa, according to French and Russian officials. There was no immediate information about the condition of the crew or whether there was anyone else on board.

The Arctic Sea — carrying a load of timber and 15 Russian sailors — disappeared after passing through the English Channel on July 28. The Maltese-flagged freighter sent radio messages as it sailed along the coasts of France and Portugal, but then all contact was lost.

"Cape Verde coast guards said they have located the boat" about 520 miles (840 kilometers) off Cape Verde, said French Defense Ministry spokesman Capt. Jerome Baroe. France was involved in search efforts together with several other countries.

There are still a number of questions about this ship, but the report goes on to say the Russian Ambassador to Cape Verde confirmed the Russian Navy is in route and intends to intercept the ship.

This case is so odd, a hijacking in European waters, that many credible sources including Lloyds are suggesting this may be real cloak and dagger stuff, state supported and special operations type stuff. It could also be a bunch of criminals.

It will be interesting to see how the Russians handle the intercept. If there is a secret cargo, would the Russians go in guns blazing to take the ship back? Of all the various activities of the Russian Navy, whether submarines off the East Coast or piracy deployments from Pacific fleet to the coast of Somalia, it does appear this incident is the action at sea from the Russian Navy worth watching. The Russian media frenzy surrounding this incident, particularly among commentators, is higher than other activities of the Russian military.

Conspiracy theories have been built on less than what is reported in the news with this incident. This is the kind of thing that turns into rumors of corrupt Russian officials and Tom Clancy novels. We will probably never get the full truth, but that never stopped a good conspiracy theory.