Feds Probe FL College Ship's Untaxed Repairs

U.S. Immigration and Enforcement officials are investigating a ship owned by Florida Atlantic University (FAU) that underwent untaxed repairs in the Bahamas.

An estimated $200,000 worth of work was performed on the R/V SEWARD JOHNSON, a research vessel, when the ship sailed out of U.S. waters in April. Renovations performed out of the country come due when a ship returns home.

The Palm Beach Post obtained a Customs notice showing the ship was detained in May, but the school says it has been released.

The vessel was retrofitted after the school listed it for sale. A Brazilian environmental consulting firm is chartering the ship and negotiating a purchase.

FAU says its Harbor Branch campus in Fort Pierce is working with the federal government to determine what, if any, duty is owed.