Seven Crewmembers From Suspect Tanker Banned From Leaving Finland

In a significant development, seven crew members of the tanker Eagle S have been barred from leaving Finland as they are suspected of involvement in a crime related to subsea infrastructure damage in the Baltic Sea. This travel ban allows the crew to continue working aboard the vessel while the investigation unfolds. Finnish authorities are keen on ensuring that all parties remain accessible during this crucial period.

Incident Overview: Damage to Subsea Infrastructure

The Eagle S has been detained by Finnish authorities following an incident on Christmas Day that resulted in severe damage to subsea cables. Within hours on December 25, the Fingrid’s EstLink 2 power transmission cable and several telecom cables were severed. Investigators have noted that the ship’s Automatic Identification System (AIS) trackline aligns with the locations of the damage. Furthermore, a dragline measuring up to 50 nautical miles was discovered on the seabed, indicating potential involvement of the vessel. Notably, the tanker was found with an anchor chain in the water but was missing its anchor, raising further suspicions.

Despite being located in international waters, the crew of the Eagle S complied with a request to divert to Finnish territorial seas. Finnish police executed a tactical operation, boarding the vessel with the assistance of a military helicopter. This incident marks the latest in a series of similar cable damage occurrences in the Baltic over the past year. However, it is the first instance where a coastal state has successfully detained a vessel suspected of causing such damage. Currently, the Eagle S has been moved to a sheltered anchorage in Porvoo for further investigation, with authorities noting that on-site forensic work is progressing more swiftly as weather conditions improve.

Legal Concerns and Crew Rights

The operator of the Eagle S, Herman Ljungberg, a local maritime attorney, has raised concerns regarding the treatment of the crew. He claims that the crew has faced obstacles in accessing their legal rights during the investigation. In an interview with YLE, Ljungberg stated that some interrogations have occurred without the presence of legal counsel, which he argues is a violation of their rights. “The authorities have made it difficult for the crew to communicate and receive legal assistance,” he asserted.

Finnish Police Investigate Tanker as Reports Say Spy Equipment Was Found

In response to these allegations, Inspector Elina Katajamaki of Finland’s Central Criminal Police Office has denied any wrongdoing. She emphasized that the police are conducting a preliminary investigation in accordance with legal protocols, ensuring that all individuals involved are offered the assistance they are entitled to. The situation remains fluid, and the number of individuals subject to the travel ban may change as the investigation progresses.

Ljungberg has called for the immediate release of the ship and its crew so they can continue their commercial voyage. As the investigation continues, the focus remains on ensuring a fair process for all parties involved while addressing the serious implications of the subsea damage incident.