Splash247: Eagle S trial exposes voyage data recorder blackout during Baltic rampage

The trial has kicked off in Helsinki for the captain and two officers of the Russian-linked oil tanker Eagle S, accused of dragging its anchor across the seabed and severing critical undersea cables between Finland and Estonia last Christmas.

Finnish prosecutors say the Cook Islands-registered tanker, part of Russia’s so-called shadow fleet, intentionally gouged out five undersea lines—including the Estlink 2 power cable and four internet cables—dragging its anchor for a staggering 90 km. They’re seeking two-and-a-half year prison terms for aggravated criminal mischief and telecommunications interference, citing reckless negligence that could have sparked far worse damage.

In court, the crew pleaded not guilty. The captain and officers argued the incident was a maritime accident, blaming mechanical faults, poor maintenance, and bad weather—not sabotage. They challenged Finland’s jurisdiction too, noting the incident allegedly occurred in international waters.

Compounding the drama, the voyage data recorder was offline during the incident, depriving investigators of critical footage of what really happened.

Finland estimates around $75m in damage, with both power and communications crippled when the cables snapped.