The Finnish authorities’ seizure of the alleged “saboteur” tanker Eagle S in the Baltic Sea is part of their standard procedures. They did not specifically respond to Russia’s “shadow fleet”; it was simply a routine operation by the Finnish authorities. [1]
Traficom, the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency, was operational in the Baltic Sea long before the latest incident with the underwater cables. Therefore, boarding the vessel was a routine operation during which Finnish authorities inspected the vessel’s seaworthiness. At the time of writing this, the inspection is still being done.
The Traficom activities in the Baltic Sea are commendable and conducted under strict maritime laws. They work diligently to avoid bias and ensure that naval law is respected at every investigation stage.
Making assumptions about the investigation before it is completed is, at the very least, insolent and should not be done hastily, especially by those who are affiliated with Finland’s values and principles.
References
[1] “Traficom Tarkastaa Missä Kunnossa Eagle S on – Paikalla Myös Huoltoalus M/S Hessu | Uutisia Lyhyesti | Yle.” Accessed January 2 2025. https://yle.fi/a/74-20134466.
Photo by Dorian Mongel on Unsplash.
