The Mystery of a Small Cargo Ship

A mystery is developing around a small cargo ship of obscure registry, said to be Israeli-owned, which was seized by the Greek Coast Guard off eastern Crete last Thursday and alleged to be smuggling arms from Israel to an unspecified destination.

The ship’s master, Capt. Vlassis Tzivitzis, who is Greek, and the chief mate, Leidef Otmar, identified as Austrian, were detained at the Cretan port of Aghios Nicalaos. The crew, said to consist of seven Turks and three Filipinos, was confined to the vessel.

Greek sources said the ship was carrying 280 tons of ammunition and explosives, 25 Israel-made Uzzi submachineguns and a dismantled Italian-made Augusta Bel 212 helicopter. According to the sources, the vessel is owned by a Haifa-based company.

The ship, Sea Lion, sailed from Haifa early in March and called at a Turkish port before heading west. She was spotted by the Greek Coast Guard at anchor in Cretan waters where her crew allegedly was painting out the ship’s name.

The Sea Lion, a 3,000-ton vessel, is registered in the Cayman Islands, a former British colony in the Caribbean south of Jamaica, which is used both as a tax shelter and flag of convenience.

Paul Wiesman, owner of Manos Seaways of Haifa, described as the ship’s agents, said the cargo was fully and correctly manifested in accordance with international law. He said she put into Crete for engine repairs and the name was painted out and changed to avoid a possible Arab boycott listing because the cargo originated in Israel. Israeli officials declined to comment.

Reports from Athens said the cargo was destined for Portugal and Guatemala. Greek law forbids the transportation of arms and ammunition through Greek waters without a special license.