At the port of Arica, Chile.

Renamed: Sea Star

25 August 2009. Vessel sank 60 miles south of Jeddah.

IMO Nº : 8126733

Ex: Tivat, Nativa, Taurus, Rasha , Taurus.

Call Sign : J8B3081
Gross tonnage : 10964
Type of ship : General Cargo Ship
Builder: Warnowwerft Hull Nº: 423
Year of build : 1981
Present Flag : Korea Democratic Republic

This vessel was fully loaded at one Turkish port I do not remenber the name with a cargo of steel in rolls and plates with destination to Chilean ports, vessel's name was Tivat in that moment.

When the ship was navigating in the Mediterranean Sea some Colombian interests bought the vessel and she was renamed Nativa during navigation.

When the vessel was navigating off from Ecuador coast she was detected by satellite that she was stopped at sea and receiving cargo from fishing vessels.

The Interpol and Chilean police were advised of this situation by the DEA, and the vessel was detained and obligued to call at the port of Arica for a whole investigation and search of drugs.

Inspections on board were carried out for several days by the police and customs officers, until one of the biggest smugglering of cocaine about 1.500 MT was found to be hidden inside the samson posts of the vessel, the total crew was arrested at the port of Arica, Chile.

This vessel was long time arrested and then laid up at Arica, the vessel suffered several casualties when laid up incluse the engine room was flooded twice with sea water, finally she was bought and renamed Taurus., now the vessel has been renamed Sea Star and waves the Korea Democratic Republic flag.

Note: Only photo of the ship with this name on site.