Abandoned since March 2022, the sale of the 'Alfa Nero' was momentous for the island nation of Antigua, it was followed by yet another lawsuit filed by the original owners. They seemed to be unwilling to watch the yacht sail away or see Antigua’s taxpayers relieved of the $30,000 weekly burden it has become. Despite the ongoing legal battle, the authorities seemed to be unfazed. Cabinet Secretary Lionel Hurst stated that an undisclosed buyer had already paid the revised $40 million price tag. He also highlighted the intended use of the funds, with the first priority being to reduce the national debt. The lawsuit, the cabinet agreed, would not prevent the government from fulfilling its obligations incurred while the vessel was under its ownership; nor would it deter the administration from investing the surplus in constructing a hotel. The cabinet agreed that an investment in a tangible asset will serve as a reminder of the immense difficulties this lawful seizure and sale caused the people and government of Antigua and Barbuda. The vessel remains moored near Falmouth Harbor fo the time being.
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ANDROS KING
The “Volcán de Taburiente” will be handed over from the Armas Trasmediterránea Group to the Greek company Golden Star Ferries Shipping on Sept 17. The price of the operation has not been disclosed, but will be between 20 and 30 million Euros, at most. The crew will be relocated to other ships of the company. The ship was sold for several reasons, including some of a technical and financial nature, such as the cost that would be involved in updating it to the new environmental requirements, given that it lacks scrubbers.
ATLANTIC ODYSSEY
In a decision dated July 19 2024,, the prefectural authority formally has ordered the owner of the longliner 'Atlantic Odyssey' to remove the vessel, which has immobilized since December 2017, within three months from the port of Saint-Pierre, whire it is moored at the Quai de l'Épi. The various owners who have succeeded one another at the helm have not been able to get it back to sea. The last owner Yves Le Dimna who has now to put an end to the state of abandonment of his ship and to proceed with its remova. The decision comes following a previous formal notice from the Directorate of Territories, Food and the Sea (DTAM) issued on January 10, but which remained unanswered by the owner. In the absence of intervention by Yves Le Dimna, the prefect will implement the procedure for forfeiture of ownership of the ship. In Dec 2011, the company Propêche, the shipowner at the time, was subject to a tax adjustment. More than 270,000 Euros were requested as tax on a state subsidy of nearly 625,000 Euros, granted for the purchase of the 'Atlantic Odyssey' in Sep 2009. The shipowner denounced an abusive tax adjustment and, from 2012, began a legal marathon. Propêche seized the administrative authorities without success. The company even appealed to the Ministry of Overseas Territories and the President of the Republic, François Hollande at that time, but without any more success. In Dec 2019, the public accountant requested that the ship be auctioned to pay off the company's tax debt for the benefit of the Territorial Council. In the following years, the ship changed flags several times. From Dec 2017, it no longer made any maneuvers and was no longer maintained. The last known owner, Yves Le Dimna, acquired the vessel in May 2021, but it will not move again. Report with photo: https://la1ere.francetvinfo.fr/saintpierremiquelon/le-prefet-ordonne-a-l-atlantic-odyssey-de-quitter-le-port-de-saint-pierre-1509701.html
