[Maritime Q-Scout]

you didn't do anything wrong. In fact there were two HUGE ethical errors, one by the company that you dropped your CV off to, and one by your CEO. The potential employer should not have told your company (without your permission, ie: you used them as a reference) that you applied there, and your CEO even with this info should not act upon it and brush it off as them **** disturbing.

What would I do?

I would outline the concerns you outlined in your original post, followed by pointing out the fact that you

a) have every right to look elsewhere, for whatever reasons you have
b) that company has no right to tell you that you dropped off your CV
c) that your company in no way can be upset with you for looking elsewhere, it's your perogative

But as always, do it in the nicest, politest fashion possible. Under no circumstances be hostile, that'll make things worse.