Vessel of Interest (VOI)

A ship flagged by a maritime-domain-awareness or law-enforcement authority as warranting closer monitoring, short of being formally designated. Triggers include AIS gaps, anomalous routing, association with a sanctioned trade, suspected smuggling, or a security concern. The status drives watchlisting, targeted boardings under port-state control or right-of-visit authorities, and information-sharing between navies and coast guards. It is an operational risk label, not a legal sanction; it can precede a formal designation if evidence develops.