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Cargo ship auctioned off in Norfolk

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — A massive cargo ship went up for bid Monday morning in Norfolk on the steps of the federal courthouse. The Cape Viewer is anchored in the Chesapeake Bay off Cape Charles. It’s been there nearly a year, with more than 100,000 tons of coal aboard. Apparently, the vessel’s owner could not pay its claims to creditors, who took the matter to court. A judge ordered an auction for the vessel with a price tag of at least $8 million. Deputy Shane Wilhite of the US Marshal’s Service handled the auction. “I’m going to open up the bid. Can I get the official bid from Noble of $8,300,000?” Leonard Fleisig, an attorney who represents contractor Noble Chartering, entered that company’s name, was the sole bidder and was awarded the sale. Fleisig told WAVY.com the sale does ensure the coal will be delivered on behalf of the owner of the coal, who’s been waiting for it to be delivered since last October. The ship has been at anchor with a crew of Ukrainian nationals ever since. “Our surveyors have said their morale is decent,” Fleisig said. “There have been certain crew members leave and come back. They have been obligated to maintain a skeleton crew. The captain has been there 11 months. They’re well fed and well taken care of.” Fleisig expects the vessel to set sail within the next few weeks, once necessary repairs are done to make it seaworthy again. It will finally take the coal shipment to its destination in the Netherlands. A hearing is set for October 14 in federal court to go over the terms of the sale and payment.