The police investigators have completed the examination of the 'Eagle S' dragging its anchor and damaging critical undersea infrastructure. The cable operators Fingrid and Elering reported that they will be able to restore commercial service at the end of June. Both the preparatory and repair works have progressed well, and there have been no setbacks. The construction of the first repair joint was completed on May 30, and construction of the second started early in June The repair work on EstLink 2 was progressing faster than planned ,and the electricity interconnector will return to commercial use on June 25, about three weeks ahead of the originally anticipated mid-July date. The section of the cable that was damaged has successfully been cut out, with about a one-kilometer-long spare cable being used to connect the undamaged sections. The works were being aided by favourable sea conditions. The authorities had suspected the shadow fleet product tanker, that was operating in the Russian oil trade for the damage. The tanker was missing one of its anchors which was later retrieved from the seabed. Teams found indications that the anchor was dragged along the seabed for over 100 kilometers, severing the power link and four undersea telecommunications cables. The police were working on the theory that the action was “gross sabotage and gross disruption” of the power and telecommunications cables. Under the Finnish law, aggravated sabotage can carry significant prison sentences, especially when it involves deliberate damage to national infrastructure. Disruption of telecommunications traffic, if deemed aggravated, is also treated as a serious criminal offense. The prosecutors have received thousands of pages of information, and it will take two to three months to review the details of the investigation and make a determination. The attorney general will ultimately decide if they proceed with an indictment and trial. The captain and the first and second officers of the 'Eagle S' remained under suspicion and have been ordered to remain in Finland. Originally, nine crew members were detained, but the others were released in March along the with the vessel. The prosecutors will have to determine if there is evidence that it was an international act to damage the cables. Following the release of the vessel, the Finland and Estonia utility companies Fingrid and Elering said they would sue the ship’s owner to cover repair costs. They had agreed to the release of the tanker, as the trial could last up to five to six years. The companies are covering the cost of the cable repairs which could end up costing €60 million. A tentative preliminary trial date is set for late August or early September should prosecutors decide to proceed with the case.
News
SALVAMAR SHAULA
On May 30, 2025, the sailing yacht ''Sirgal' was disabled 0.6 nautical miles northeast of Cape Ortegal, with three crew members on board, and requested assistance. The 'Salvamar Shaula' was mobilized by the CCS Finisterre of Salvamento Marítimo. It took the boat in tow and safely pulled it to the port of Cariño.
LOCH RANZA
The 'Loch Ranza', serving on the route Taynloan-Gigha, suffered a technical issue with the aft ram pm ;ay 31. As a consequence, p, the ferry was operating single ended. and vehicles may be required to reverse on or off the vessel. The scheduled departures from Tayinloan at 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. and from Gigha at 11.30 a,m, and 123p.m. were cancelled for investigations into the issue. After it was resolved, the sailings from Tayinloan at 4:00 p.m,. and from Gigha at 4:30 p.m. were reinstated.
MAKY SEGUNDO
On May 30, 2025, the 'Maky Segundo', with two people on board, was disabled and adrift near Arguineguín, and requested towing assistance. The SAR boat 'Salvamar Makondo' was mobilized by Salvamento Marítimo and safely towed it to Pasito Blanco. Report with photo: https://x.com/salvamentogob/status/1928515277550989326
SALVAMAR AL NAIR
On June 1, the 'Salvamar Al Nair' rescued 60 North African migrants about 66 nautical miles northeast of Arrecife. Their boat had been located by a Sasemar 102 aircraft. The response was coordinated by the CCS Las Palmas of Salvamento Marítimo. The 'Panda 009' was first on scene and remained alongside the inflatable boat until the arrival of the SAR boat. It took the castaways on board, and on June 2 at 1:20 a.m. Canary Islands time, the 'Salvamar Al Nair' docked in the Port of Arrecife (Lanzarote), where the migrants were dropped off.