Finns recover tanker anchor linked to Baltic Sea cable damage
Finnish authorities have found and retrieved the anchor of the Eagle S tanker, suspected of damaging cables in the Baltic Sea. Investigators will begin inspecting it on Tuesday.
Finnish radio Yle reported that the tanker Eagle S's anchor was located at the bottom of the Gulf of Finland and brought to the surface. The Swedish rescue ship HMS Belos carried out the operation, retrieving the anchor from a depth of approximately 262 feet. The anchor is currently in the possession of Finnish authorities, who will inspect it.
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 Cook Islands flag, was transporting Russian gasoline from Saint Petersburg to Egypt. It is believed to be part of Russia's "shadow fleet," a group of aging 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 interrogating the crew, consisting of 20 citizens from Georgia and India. Several crew members are suspected of vandalism and property damage. Meanwhile, the customs service is conducting its investigation, with inspectors reviewing 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.
