Tanker Eagle S Under Investigation in Finland
Legal Actions and Detention of the Eagle S
The Eagle S is now facing multiple legal challenges. Finnish law enforcement has launched a criminal inquiry into the incident, which involves the severing of several subsea cables. In addition to this, Fingrid has filed a request with the court to detain the tanker while pursuing civil litigation. This legal action aims to address the costs associated with the damage to the subsea infrastructure. If the court grants this request, it could lead to the seizure and potential sale of the vessel.
Furthermore, Finland’s port state control authorities are preparing to inspect the aging tanker for safety deficiencies. Previous inspections have revealed numerous issues with similar vessels in the “dark fleet.” These inspections are crucial, as they could uncover additional problems that may complicate the situation for the shipowner.
The attorney representing the Eagle S, Herman Ljungberg, has dismissed the criminal inquiry as mere speculation. He has called for the immediate release of the vessel, arguing that the legal actions against it are unfounded. However, the combination of a civil detention order and a safety-related detention could significantly hinder the shipowner’s ability to appeal. Currently, the tanker’s cargo of Russian gasoline has also been impounded, pending the outcome of a customs investigation.
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Travel Bans and Crew Restrictions
In a further development, Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation has imposed a travel ban on eight crewmembers of the Eagle S. This is an increase from the initial seven individuals named earlier in the week. The travel ban is a precautionary measure to ensure that these crew members remain accessible for questioning. Although they are suspected of involvement in criminal acts, they have not yet been formally arrested.
The travel ban allows the crew to continue working aboard the vessel, ensuring that it remains in a safe operating condition. This is particularly important given the ongoing investigation and the potential risks associated with the damaged subsea cables.
The incident itself occurred on December 25, when Fingrid’s EstLink 2 power transmission cable and several telecom cables were severed. The Eagle S’s Automatic Identification System (AIS) trackline matched the locations of the damage. A drag line, measuring up to 50 nautical miles long, was discovered on the seabed, indicating that the vessel may have been involved in the incident. The tanker was found to have an anchor chain in the water, but it was missing the anchor, similar to a previous incident involving a Chinese container ship.
Given the frequency of such incidents in the Baltic Sea, Finnish authorities are taking this matter seriously. Meetings have been scheduled by the Finnish Parliament’s foreign affairs and defense committees to discuss subsea infrastructure security. Additionally, Finland’s NATO allies convened to enhance military presence in the Baltic region, highlighting the broader implications of this investigation.
