The government is to take control of the multi-million dollar super yacht – Alfa
Nero – sometime today (Tuesday April 11) at the Antigua Yacht Club marina,
where it has been moored for over a year.
The entire process is in the hands of General Manager of the Antigua Port
Authority, Darwin Telemaque, the only person authorized by law to carry out the
seizure operations.
This action was originally planned for last Saturday, but following intense
discussions with the team from the Ministry of Legal Affairs and other solicitors
engaged by the government, a decision was made to postpone the action seizure
until today.
“Our legal advisors from the ministry of legal affairs have been in touch with other
legal personnel both locally and overseas, and we are at the stage where additional
time is required to tie-up ‘a few legal issues’ and to be fully compliant with our
ability to take action. We do not wish to have any action taken that can be
questioned. We want to ensure that what we do is in line with the legal
requirements, meeting all the statutes. We are showcasing Antigua and Barbuda, in
this instance, on the global stage. We can’t go wrong!” he declared.
He added that the team decided to err on the side of caution rather than open the
possibility of embarrassment to the state.
“The lawyers have advised that some time should be given to evaluate and discuss
further, and we will move to complete this action by Tuesday (today),” he stated.
Earlier, Telemaque provided a step by step insight as to what will happen with the
seizure of the vessel. “On March 21, 2023, I issued an Order of detention for the
Alfa Nero. After this was done, anyone who had an interest in the vessel or who
was the effective owner had a period of ten days to come forward and make a
claim. This was never done. The law, after proves for the action to be advertised in
an international medium. This was not done until March 28 th , so the ten day period
has now expired,” he detailed.
Following the seizure of the vessel, the Antigua and Barbuda government will
assume immediate ownership of the Alfa Nero. Telemaque said there are four tasks
that have to be done immediately after the seizure; firstly, he intends to hold
discussions with the crew to determine their current status and future plans. He
said the government has already agreed to assume their liabilities and that these
will be the first things addressed after the sale. Secondly, he will meet with the
management of the Antigua Yacht Club to discuss a maintenance schedule for the
vessel. Thirdly, discussions are already underway to secure property and indemnity
insurance for the vessel, and lastly, arrangements are already in place to secure the
vessel with the assistance of the Antigua and Barbuda Defense Force Coast Guard
which is already on site.