The trial of the captain and two senior officers of the Russian-linked tanker Eagle S began in Helsinki. The Cook Islands-registered vessel is accused of dragging its anchor across the seabed on December 25, 2024, severing five undersea cables between Finland and Estonia, including the Estlink 2 power cable.
Finnish prosecutors allege the anchor was dragged for 90 km, causing around $75 million in damage, and are seeking two-and-a-half-year prison sentences for aggravated criminal mischief and telecommunications interference. The crew denies wrongdoing, claiming the incident was a maritime accident caused by mechanical faults, poor maintenance, and severe weather.
Investigators face a challenge as the vessel’s voyage data recorder was offline during the incident. Court proceedings also involve questions of jurisdiction, as the UAE-based shipping company managing Eagle S argues the damage occurred in international waters.
The incident highlighted risks to subsea infrastructure and prompted increased monitoring of the so-called shadow fleet in the Baltic. Finnish and Estonian companies spent months repairing the damaged cables, which disrupted power and communications.
Photo: Finnish Border Guard
