Chapter 5 - THE SHIP THAT SANK TWICE
The original Northstar Belle case had been complicated.
The vessel carried refrigerated cargo between ports along the Atlantic coast.
Three years earlier, it suffered severe flooding during a routine voyage.
The crew survived.
But the ship was declared a constructive total loss.
The owners filed an insurance claim.
During the investigation, I discovered discrepancies between the vessel's reported cargo weight and its actual loading records.
Someone had altered the stability calculations.
The insurance claim was denied after further review.
The certificate was revoked.
And the registration number was flagged.
Now the same number appeared in Derek's paperwork.
But there was something else.
The document listed a vessel named Atlantic Crown.
A ship supposedly operating under a different owner.
I examined the records.
Then looked at Dominic.
“Something is wrong.”
He leaned closer.
“What?”
“The vessel identification history.”
I pointed toward the page.
“The Atlantic Crown may be using documentation linked to the Northstar Belle.”
Dominic's expression hardened.
“Meaning?”
I swallowed.
“Meaning someone may be trying to insure or finance a vessel using fraudulent records.”
He looked toward the harbor.
May you like
Then whispered:
“Find out who.”
