Suspect "Dark Fleet" Tanker Faces Civil and Criminal Actions in Finland
Finnish investigators now have two more possible ways to detain the tanker Eagle S, which is suspected of severing multiple subsea cables in the Gulf of Finland on Christmas Day. In addition to the criminal inquiry initiated by Finnish law enforcement agencies, subsea cable operator Fingrid has asked a court to detain the tanker pending separate civil litigation over the cost of the infrastructure damage, which could potentially result in the seizure and sale of the vessel. Finland's port state control authorities are also planning to inspect the aging "dark fleet" tanker for possible safety deficiencies, dozens of which were identified in previous PSC boardings.
Eagle S's attorney, local maritime lawyer Herman Ljungberg, has dismissed the Finnish criminal inquiry as "speculation" and - on the shipowner's behalf - has called for the vessel's prompt release. A separate civil detention order from the courts and a safety-related detention from the Finnish Coast Guard would complicate the shipowner's appeal and make it more difficult for the tanker to depart. The tanker's cargo of Russian gasoline has also been impounded pending the outcome of a Finnish customs investigation.
In addition to banning the movement of the tanker, Finland's National Bureau of Investigation has issued a travel ban on eight crewmembers (up from the initial seven named earlier this week) in order to ensure that they remain reachable. These individuals are suspected of criminal acts, but have not yet been formally placed under arrest. The travel ban allows them to continue to work aboard the ship and maintain it in safe operating condition.
On Dec. 25, Fingrid's EstLink 2 power transmission cable from Finland to Estonia and multiple subsea telecom cables in the Gulf of Finland were suddenly severed. Eagle S's AIS trackline corresponded to the damage sites, and a drag line of up to 50 nm long was found on the bottom. The tanker had an anchor chain in the water, but the chain was missing the anchor - just like the NewNew Polar Bear, a Chinese boxship that cut multiple subsea cables by dragging its anchor along the bottom of the Baltic.
As this was the third potentially ship-related cable damage incident in a year in the Baltic, Finnish authorities acted quickly. They requested Eagle S to divert from international waters and into Finnish territorial seas, and the crew agreed to comply. Finnish police then boarded the vessel in a tactical operation with a military helicopter.
Given the repeated occurrence of cable damage incidents in the Baltic, the Finnish Parliament's foreign affairs and defense committees both scheduled meetings for Friday to discuss subsea infrastructure security. Finland's NATO allies met on December 30 for a similar purpose, and reached an agreement to enhance the alliance's military presence in the Baltic.
Seven Crewmembers From Suspect Tanker Banned From Leaving Finland
Seven crewmembers of the tanker Eagle S, which allegedly damaged subsea infrastructure in the Baltic last week, have been banned from leaving Finland and are suspected of committing a crime. The travel ban allows the suspects to remain working aboard the ship, unlike an arrest.
"The police have an interest in securing the preliminary investigation and ensuring that the parties involved remain reachable during the investigation. However, the investigation is ongoing and the situation is becoming more specific, meaning that it is possible that the number of people subject to a travel ban will change," said inspector Elina Katajamaki of Finland's Central Criminal Police Office.
The tanker Eagle S has been detained by Finnish authorities in connection with a subsea cable damage incident that occurred on Christmas Day. In a matter of hours on Dec. 25, Fingrid's EstLink 2 power transmission cable and multiple subsea telecom cables were severed. Eagle S's AIS trackline corresponded to the damage sites, and a drag line of up to 50 nm long was found on the bottom. The tanker had an anchor chain in the water and was missing an anchor.
The Eagle S was asked to divert to Finnish territorial seas, and though it was located in international waters, the crew agreed to comply. Finnish police then boarded the vessel in a tactical operation with a military helicopter.
It is the latest of three nearly-identical cable damage incidents in the Baltic over the past year, and it is the first in which the coastal state successfully detained the suspect vessel. The ship has been relocated to a sheltered anchorage at Porvoo for further investigation, and authorities say that on-site forensic work is proceeding more quickly now that the weather is improving.
Legal advice
Eagle S's operator has retained a local maritime attorney, Herman Ljungberg, who claims that the crew have not received fair treatment. In an interview with YLE, he said that the authorities have made it difficult for the crew to access their right to legal advice.
"Apparently some interrogations have taken place. I have pointed out that they should have legal counsel. The authority decided that they do not need to," Ljungberg told YLE. "The ship's crew has been very effectively prevented from communicating and receiving legal assistance."
Inspector Katajamaki denied this allegation to YLE. "The police have conducted a preliminary investigation according to the letter of the law, meaning everyone has been offered the help they are entitled to receive," she said.
Ljundberg has called for the ship and the crew to be released to carry on with their commercial voyage.
No comments:
Post a Comment