Anchor retrieval links tanker to Baltic cable damages
Finnish authorities have recovered the anchor of the tanker Eagle S, which is suspected of damaging cables in the Baltic Sea. Investigators will inspect the anchor starting on Tuesday.
Finnish radio Yle reported that the anchor of the tanker Eagle S was located at the bottom of the Gulf of Finland and brought to the surface. The operation was carried out by the Swedish rescue ship HMS Belos, which retrieved the anchor from a depth of approximately 80 metres. The anchor is now in the possession of Finnish authorities, who will begin their inspection.
The damage to the undersea cables occurred on Christmas Day. Finnish law enforcement suspects that the tanker Eagle S dragged its anchor across the seabed, damaging the EstLink 2 power cable and four telecommunications cables.
The tanker, flying the flag of the Cook Islands, was transporting Russian gasoline from St. Petersburg to Egypt. It is assumed that the ship is part of Russia's "shadow fleet," a group of aging ships used by Russia to circumvent oil sanctions. Following the incident, it was detained by Finnish authorities and brought closer to shore.
The crew of Eagle S is being interrogated
In connection with the ongoing investigation, the vessel is currently anchored near the oil port in Porvoo.
The police are interrogating the crew, consisting of 20 citizens from Georgia and India. Several crew members are suspected of vandalism and property damage. At the same time, an investigation by the customs service is underway, and inspectors are assessing the tanker’s technical condition.
The telecommunications operator Elisa reported on Monday that two damaged cables have been repaired; however, the repair of EstLink 2 may take until July.
