Cable Break Investigation Leaves Questions Unanswered
A recent report from the Swedish Accident Investigation Authority (SHK) has revealed that investigators could not determine whether a cable break in the Baltic Sea last year was due to an accident or sabotage. The incident involved the Chinese bulk carrier Yi Peng 3, which damaged the C-Lion 1 cable on November 18. Despite cooperation from Chinese authorities, significant obstacles hindered the investigation, leaving critical questions unresolved.
Investigation Hindered by Restrictions
The SHK’s report highlights the challenges faced during the investigation of the Yi Peng 3. Although Chinese authorities permitted investigators from neighboring countries, including Sweden, to board the vessel, they imposed restrictions that complicated the process. Investigators reported that their visit was conducted under time constraints, limiting their ability to gather essential evidence. Key items, such as surveillance footage and the ship’s Voyage Data Recorder—akin to a black box—were not accessible. Furthermore, interviews with the crew were conducted in the presence of Chinese officials, raising concerns about the integrity of the information obtained.
The report outlined two potential scenarios regarding the cable break. One possibility suggested that the ship intentionally released its anchor to damage the seabed infrastructure. However, the SHK noted that this action would pose significant risks to the vessel and its crew. The second scenario proposed that the anchor may have come loose due to inadequate securing. This theory is somewhat undermined by the absence of damage to the anchor windlass and chain box, as well as the fact that the ship dragged its anchor for 1.5 days without detection.
Broader Context of Cable Break Incidents
Under international maritime law, the flag state of a vessel typically conducts investigations into accidents in international waters, unless criminal activity is suspected. Following the Yi Peng 3 incident, Finnish authorities seized another vessel, the Eagle S, which had dragged its anchor for nearly 62 miles on Christmas Day, severing multiple cables. Although the Eagle S was released last month, three crew members remain detained in Finland as part of an ongoing criminal investigation.
In January, another incident involving the cargo ship Vezhen raised suspicions of sabotage after it was suspected of damaging a communications link between Latvia and Sweden. However, prosecutors later concluded that the incident was not a case of sabotage, attributing it to a combination of adverse weather conditions and equipment deficiencies.
These incidents have sparked concerns about potential sabotage campaigns in the Baltic Sea, particularly amid fears of Russian involvement. Despite these worries, European officials have expressed growing confidence that many of these cable breaks are accidental rather than orchestrated by external forces.
