According to Traficom, the most serious problems concern the pumping station’s fire protection, navigation and ventilation systems. “There was a technical fault with this ship and its further operations cannot be tolerated until it is removed,” Sanna Sonninen, head of the Finnish office, said, citing PAP. According to her, fixing the deficiencies requires outside help and a significant investment of time.
The inspection completed on Wednesday also revealed problems with the living conditions of the crew and the technical condition of the equipment on board. While this unit poses no threat to the environment at this time, it is not prepared to operate in harsh winter conditions, which raises further concerns.
Finland. Tanker with suspected cable damage
The tanker was seized on Christmas Day, hours after the EstLink 2 power cable connecting Estonia and Finland failed. The Finnish Criminal Police (KRP) suspects that the damage was caused by the Eagle S anchor being dragged along the ocean floor for 100 kilometers. In addition to EstLink 2, four international data cables were also damaged.
During the rescue operation, the Swedish battleship Belos recovered the anchor, which left a distinct mark on the ocean floor. Finnish investigators are currently analyzing the situation for evidence to support the sabotage hypothesis.
Tanker “Eagle S” expert: “The ship’s technical condition is poor”
Experts cited by Finnish website Yle emphasize the scale of the defects found in the Eagle S. “It appears that the ship has not been properly maintained for a long time,” shipping professor Ulla Tapaninen said. He believes the decision to berth the ship was justified.
Maritime expert Markku Mylly has a similar opinion. He said the number of such issues typically ranges from two to five. –More than 20 people, that’s really a lot. There are many abandoned old ships floating around the seas, but I don’t remember one with so many problems, experts have revealed.
Is Eagle S part of Russia’s shadow fleet?
The tanker Eagle S, built in 2006 and flying the Cook Islands flag, is part of Russia’s so-called shadow fleet. The unit transported dozens of tons of Russian gasoline to Egypt, prompting Finnish customs to investigate possible violations of international sanctions.
Several crew members, mostly Georgian and Indian nationals, were considered suspects and were barred from leaving the country. An investigation into property damage, sabotage and communication interference continues.
The Eagle S is currently berthed near the port of Porvoo, and its future depends on the resolution of a number of technical deficiencies and the outcome of ongoing investigations. Finnish authorities have announced further analysis and international cooperation to clarify the issue.
Bryc: Europe prepares for major unpredictability/RMF24.pl/RMF
