Tanker anchor retrieved as probe into Baltic damage begins
Finnish authorities have recovered the anchor of the Eagle S tanker, which is suspected of damaging cables in the Baltic Sea. Investigators will begin their inspection on Tuesday.
Finnish radio station Yle reported that the tanker Eagle S's anchor was found at the bottom of the Gulf of Finland and subsequently retrieved. The Swedish rescue ship HMS Belos conducted the operation, which lifted the anchor from a depth of approximately 80 metres. The anchor is now in the possession of Finnish authorities, who will proceed to inspect it.
The undersea cables were damaged 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 Cook Islands flag, was transporting Russian petrol from Saint Petersburg to Egypt. It is believed that the ship is part of Russia's "shadow fleet," a group of ageing ships used to circumvent oil sanctions. After the incident, Finnish authorities detained it and brought it closer to shore.
The crew of Eagle S is being interrogated
As part of the ongoing investigation, the vessel is currently anchored near the oil port in Porvoo.
The police are questioning the crew, which includes 20 citizens from Georgia and India. Several crew members are suspected of vandalism and property damage. At the same time, the customs service is investigating, and inspectors are reviewing the tanker's technical condition.
The telecommunications operator Elisa reported on Monday that repairs to two of the damaged cables have been completed; however, the repair of EstLink 2 may take until July.
