By Kelvin Jay
While the Sierra Leone Police remain silent about the ownership, registration, and origin of the mysterious pleasure craft that recently grounded at Hamilton Beach, this newspaper has launched an independent investigation to unravel the truth behind the vessel.
Our linguistic research confirms that Agios is a Greek word meaning “holy” or “saint.” Commonly used as a prefix in Greek and Cypriot place names, the name suggests a potential connection to Greek maritime traditions.
Further investigation revealed that a pleasure craft named Agios is registered under the flag of St. Kitts and Nevis—a Caribbean nation located in the Leeward Islands of the Lesser Antilles, in the North American region.
According to the MarineTraffic database, the vessel:
• Bears MMSI number: 341032000
• Uses Call Sign: V4JJ4
• Is classified as a pleasure craft
Tracking data indicates that about 117 days ago, the Agios was last seen in the Gulf of Guinea, specifically within the Bight of Benin, moving at a speed of just 0.1 knots—suggesting it was anchored or adrift.
Additional data from VesselFinder confirms that the vessel’s last recorded position was on 25th March 2025, near Abidjan, Ivory Coast, at approximately 05:53 UTC. Since then, no updated tracking information has been recorded, raising serious questions about the vessel’s current location and status.
In the course of our investigation, we also looked into the name Bessetere. Our findings suggest it may be a phonetic variation of “Basseterre,” the capital city of St. Kitts and Nevis. This has fueled speculation that the vessel’s full name—Agios
Bessetere—may pay homage to the capital of its flag state.
Basseterre is not only the nation’s political capital but also its commercial and industrial hub. However, it has gained international attention for its high crime rate, especially in relation to drug trafficking.
According to the U.S. State Department, St. Kitts and Nevis is among several Eastern Caribbean nations used as transshipment points for illicit narcotics, primarily originating from Venezuela, and destined for North America, Europe, and neighboring Caribbean islands.
A report by South Caribbean News states:
“Local and international law enforcement believe traffickers are increasingly using yachts for drug transit, though go-fast boats, fishing trawlers, and cargo ships continue to play major transit roles.”
This context raises serious concerns about the Agios Bessetere and its true purpose, particularly in light of its flag registration and unknown current whereabouts.
Our team also investigated the vessel’s paintwork and physical design, which featured three distinct colors. We sought to determine whether similar designs existed elsewhere.
In a surprising discovery, we found vessels with nearly identical designs operating in Greece, Chile, and Cyprus. These vessels are reportedly operated by:
• Agios Nikolaos Maritime (Greece)
• Samoa Shipping Services (Chile and the wider Pacific region)
This suggests that the Agios may belong to a broader international fleet or charter network, with vessels registered under various flags of convenience—a tactic often used to conceal ownership and bypass legal scrutiny.
Despite the mounting evidence, Sierra Leonean authorities have yet to confirm the identity, origin, or intended destination of the vessel grounded at Hamilton Beach.
The lack of updated tracking data, along with the vessel’s sudden disappearance from marine databases, heightens suspicion that the Agios Bessetere grounded in Hamilton may indeed be the same craft last seen in the Gulf of Guinea. And Abidjan.
The true ownership, mission, and legal standing of the Agios Bessetere remain undetermined. While circumstantial evidence suggests links to both Greek maritime operators and Caribbean jurisdictions known for trafficking vulnerabilities, no official agency—national or international—has confirmed the vessel’s identity or cleared the mystery surrounding its arrival in Sierra Leone.
Until such answers emerge, public speculation, media scrutiny, and international interest will only continue to grow.
