Russian sailors forcedly stay in Puerto Rico for a month

07.12.2010 US Coast Guard detained a Russian-crewed vessel in Puerto Rico on suspicion of ecological crime.

"Food tanker Carib Vision with Russian crew aboard was arrested in the port after standard inspection. US Coast Guard decided to detain the vessel due to suspicion of US environmental law breaking. The ship has been staying in Puerto Rico since Nov 6; we got wind of the incident only on Dec 2 at second hand", told Russian Honorary Consul in Puerto Rico Anastasia Kitsul by phone to RIA Novosti.

According to her, there are 17 Russian sailors on board the tanker. Mrs. Kitsul highlighted that the vessel did not carry oil; there was a cargo of glucose syrup.

"The crew can not come ashore as they don't have American visas. US Coast Guard treat them well and provide with everything needed. All provisions were arranged by the shipowner. The situation is normal on board", said the Honorary Consul.

"Formally, the charge has not been brought yet; representative of US Department of Justice works on that. Presently, we're trying to arrange juridical protection for the sailors. The ship-owning company has already found lawyers... Russian Consul General in the U.S. Sergei Ovsyannikov takes part in resolving this problem", said Mrs. Kitsul.

Tanker Carib Vision flies the flag of Caribbean island state Saint Kitts and Nevis.