The captain of the Filojet ferry, which sank off Kyrenia on August 30, reportedly paid $3,500 for a Honduran master’s licence after his previous Turkish qualification became invalid, according to evidence presented to a Kyrenia court.
Police told the court that the 66-year-old Turkish officer had not worked as a master for about 10 years before returning to the profession. He allegedly contacted people in Greece and obtained the Honduran licence using the number of his former Turkish qualification. He later received a document from the Turkish Cypriot authorities allowing him to operate the ferry.
The authenticity of the Honduran licence has not yet been confirmed. Honduras’ maritime authority has been asked to verify it.
The MV Filojet was carrying 259 passengers and eight crew when it left Kyrenia for Taşucu, Türkiye, on August 30. It began taking on water about four nautical miles from Kyrenia, capsized and sank to a depth of more than 500 metres. Eight people died and 18 remain missing.
Investigators are examining whether the ferry was seaworthy and why the voyage went ahead. Police said the crew knew the vessel had taken on water during previous voyages. Videos showing water ingress on earlier trips have also been collected.
The first mate reportedly advised the captain not to sail. Taşucu port was closed when the ferry departed and was not due to reopen until 3pm. Police also told the court that water had entered the passenger compartment before the vessel broke apart and that both the captain and first mate knew about it.
Questions have also been raised over the ferry’s classification status. Türk Loydu inspected the vessel in June, and its certificate stated that it was valid until 2029. However, the classification society’s online database listed the vessel as “invalid”. Investigators have yet to establish when or why the status changed.
Police have seized documents and electronic devices from a shareholder of operator Filo Denizcilik. They are also seeking information from Turkish authorities about the crew’s training, previous damage and the vessel’s service in Adana in April.
More than 200 statements have been taken, with almost 100 more pending. The captain, seven other crew members and a company shareholder remain in custody for another eight days as the investigation continues.
