The matter of the super-yacht, Alfa Nero – which has been languishing in Antigua and Barbuda waters for over a year, went before the Senate on Monday for discussion, as the government paves the way for the eventual sale of the vessel.
After expressing its intention to sell the vessel ‘in the public’s interest,’ the government is taking the additional step of seeking parliamentary backing for the move, and according to a spokesman the government is going the extra mile to provide legal cover, in the event that sometime ‘down the road’ someone may wish to take legal action against it.
The government is amending the Antigua Port Authority Act as the instrument it is using to effect the sale of the vessel.
Leader of Government Business in the Upper House, Sen. Samantha Marshall, noted that the current legislation did not foresee circumstances such as the Alfa Nero being ‘abandoned’ here in Antigua and Barbuda by its alleged owners, who are said to have links with Russian President Vladimir Putin. She explained that the vessel has been sanctioned by US and UK authorities, and that may have been the chief reason why the owners sought ‘refuge’ here in Antigua and Barbuda.
She further explained that since here, the vessel has incurred huge debts for its maintenance and upkeep that are owed to local suppliers. Sen. Marshall stated that currently, the vessel is uninsured and that this is a danger not just for the Alfa Nero, but for the marina where it is moored, and the other vessels moored there.
Selling the vessel, which is the government’s plan, would help wipe out the local debts of the vessel, pay the crew who are owed substantial amounts and the remainder placed in the consolidated funds.
Minority Leader in the Senate, Sen. Shawn Nicholas, said while the matter was an important one, there were a number of questions that her side needed to have answered. Among them was if it was necessary to amend the APA Act, as the matter could have been dealt with under the Merchant Shipping Act.
She also asked of the welfare of the five crew members still aboard the vessel, to include arrangements with the police and immigration departments. Sen. Nicholas said she fails to see why the matter was as urgent as the government states and she cautioned the government not to ‘rush’ the proposed sale. She also asked the government to deposit the proceeds of the sale into an Escrow Account until all the matters relating to the Alfa Nero are properly resolved.
Sen. Philip Shoul, who has experience as a seafarer, explained that the situation with the vessel is as the government has stated, ‘very urgent’. He revealed that the information from the vessel’s captain is that things are ‘dire’ aboard the vessel. “There’s not enough food for the crew for a week, the fuel treatment plant is not functioning and there are other issues with maintenance that need urgent attention. They can’t get parts for the Reverse Osmosis (RO) plant, they can’t get parts for the generators, they can’t get parts for the engine, and they can’t get parts for anything. He thinks that they can call the US and ask for parts for the Alfa Nero?” he asked.
He emphasized that these are some of the issues that make the matter urgent, as he asked the opposition to support the government’s move to prevent a disaster from happening.
