THE IRISH AIR Corps despatched a maritime patrol aircraft 500 nautical miles off the Irish coast to check on a Russian registered oil tanker which has been on a high seas pursuit from Venezuela. 

Multiple sources said it is the first time the fully equipped Airbus 295 maritime patrol aircraft has been active in recent days as it did not fly over the Christmas period. The Air Corps had been using its new cargo variant on some missions in recent days but this aircraft does not have the extensive suite of sensors that the maritime patrol variant possesses. 

Despite that British and US aircraft were patrolling over the Christmas period and had travelled out from bases in Iceland and Britain to observe the vessel in recent days.  

The Bella One, which has now renamed itself to the Marinera and is sailing under a Russian flag, is located 500 nautical miles off the Irish Coast. 

The ship was pursued by American military forces as it left Venezuela – it is under US sanctions since 2024 because of alleged ties to Iran and Hezbollah. While it was being pursued it painted a Russian flag on its hull and changed its name on ship tracking software. 

It has been reported that Russian authorities accepted them into their registrar of ships.

Sources have said that the vessel is anticipated to be en route to Russia and is not likely to enter the Exclusive Economic Zone monitored by Ireland. 

The vessel is steaming in a northeasterly track and is visible on ship tracking software.

Multiple sources have said assessments are that there is no intention for the vessel to enter the Irish EEZ which at its furthest point reaches out into the Atlantic 200 nautical miles from the Irish coast.

It is believed the ship will travel north towards a stretch of water between Iceland and Scotland and then make her way further north in the hopes of reaching a port in Russia. 

Sources have said it is unlikely an intervention will happen as States will not want to take over a Russian flagged vessel. However US media CBS and CNN reported tonight that there are plans by US authorities to seize the vessel.  

We contacted the Irish Defence Forces for a statement – they said they do not comment on “specific operational matters”. 

It stated that Irish does carry out regular Maritime Defence and Security Operations (MDSO).

“MDSOs are conducted by Naval Service vessels who maintain a constant presence in our maritime domain and are supported by the Air Corps’ maritime patrol aircraft. We maintain a routine presence throughout our EEZ as a standard operational output of the Defence Forces.

“When necessary, specific intelligence led MDSOs are executed as a standalone operation or in conjunction with the relevant agencies and any relevant information gathered is shared with the appropriate national and international authorities,” it said. 

The Air Corps aircraft returned to Ireland in the middle of the afternoon today.