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Conversation between Cobra and Brunma leaked

A report from the Maritime Administrative Summary Investigation (ISAM) revealed on Aug 28 a key contact among the crew of the 'Cobra', on the same day that the seven fishermen from the 'Bruma' disappeared, on March 30 in the Coronel, Biobío Region. A communication via VHF was recorded between the two captains. In the conversation, they exchanged information about the fishing situation in their areas. But, at one point, from the 'Cobra' it is heard: “Voy a acercarme”, and minutes later, “Donde estás tú me marca una hu… larga. Voy a pasar encima de esa hu… a ver qué me marca”, and finally: Let's turn on the lights and put spotlights on. Representative Roberto Celedón (from the Frente Amplio party), a member of the Special Investigative Commission, described the recordings as "extraordinarily serious and shocking" and warned that "we are facing a very serious crime, such as homicide, and the responsibility lies not only with the captain, but also with those who concealed this information from the outset." Celedón accused the Public Prosecutor's Office of inaction, demanded the formalization of the investigation, and affirmed that Blumar executives must be held criminally accountable and barred from all fishing concessions. Representative María Candelaria Acevedo (PC), also a member of the Special Investigative Commission, stated that the audio recordings confirmed the responsibility of the 'Cobra's captain. "This background confirms the thesis put forward by both the Bruma Case Commission and the victims' families, who are absolutely certain that there was malice aforethought and responsibility on the part of the captain and his crew-§. The parliamentarian demanded that the facts be clarified so that "there is truth and justice for the families." The lawyer for the 'Cobra' crew members announced a complaint for breach of confidentiality following the information leak snd emphasized that "this investigation is secret and remains open" and stressed that the radio communications occurred "at a different time and several kilometers from the collision between the two vessels," and were related to fishing spots and unrelated to the collision. He added that the WhatsApp messages corresponded to crew members who were not in the cockpit and were explained to the Public Prosecutor's Office. Finally, he insisted that the important thing is to establish responsibility for the cause of the collision, reviewing compliance with regulatory measures to prevent collisions, which the Bruma crew reportedly failed to observe. The judicial and administrative investigation continues.

Complaint by the lawyer of the "Cobra" against the plaintiff of the "Bruma" was declared admissible

A complaint by the lawyer of the "Cobra" against the plaintiff of the "Bruma" was declared admissible. With this ruling, the legal action will now be referred by the Guarantee Court to the Public Prosecutor's Office to investigate the plaintiff's lawyer, whom Alejandro Espinoza accused of making defamatory statements for publicly asserting that criminal and immoral conduct was behind the disappearance of the fishermen. The Concepción Court of Appeals overturned the ruling that had declared inadmissible the complaint filed by Alejandro Espinoza, the lawyer for the crew of the "Cobra" and the Blumar company. Espinoza accused his colleague, Rafael Poblete, representing the family of the victims of the 'Bruma', of libel and slander. The defense attorney emphasized the appellate court's ruling and asserted that his colleague made "false statements" since "there was never a pact of silence nor any exchange of versions by the crew." For his part, representing the victims of the "Bruma," attorney Rafael Poblete asserted that they will not be "intimidated or censored in the defense of our clients. The truth is undeniable and evident. The Court determined that before declaring that there was no libel or slander, the complaint should be processed, based not on the fact that what was stated in that ruling was incorrect, but because the merits of the matter should first be discussed. The Court's decision therefore referred to a decision it deemed anticipated, that is, to a formal issue, but not a substantive one. We accept the Court's decision, and in court, we will not only prove that the statements do not constitute a crime, but also that this is an unfounded action that only seeks to divert attention from the overwhelming evidence gathered by the Regional Prosecutor's Office in the investigation into the boarding of the Bruma, which indicates the responsibility of the captain and crew of the Cobra and the Blumar company. They are the defendants in this significant criminal investigation and must answer to justice."

Orange box will be sent to FBI

The so-called orange box from the 'Cobra' will be sent to the FBI in the USA for forensic analysis in the frame of the investigation of the suspected collision with the Bruma' off the coast of Coronel, Bío Bío region. According to Claudia Urrutia, president of the Maule cod fishing association, industrial vessels with autopilot, like the 'Cobra', must have a 360-degree camera that constantly records images and audio of what happens on board. Attorney Rafael Poblete, representing the families of the Bruma crew members, emphasized that the results of the orange box examination could have a significant impact on the course of the investigation. For his part, attorney Alejandro Espinoza, who represents the Cobra crew, strongly rejected any suggestion that the equipment on board had been tampered with. According to Espinoza, the bridge cameras are under the exclusive management of a provider approved by the Navy and cannot be accessed by third parties, including the crew. In addition to the forensic examination of the orange box, the results of the biological examinations conducted on the 'Cobra' are expected to be delivered this week to the families of the 'Bruma' crew members. This could provide additional relevant information to clarify the facts.