THE master of the tanker alleged to have damaged undersea cables of Finland has spoken out for the first time ahead of his trial beginning in Helsinki next week.

Cook Islands-flagged Eagle S (IMO: 9329760) was detained by Finnish authorities on December 25, 2024, after it was suspected of damaging the Estlink2 cable that runs between Estonia and Finland.

Speaking to Finnish broadcaster Yle, captain Davit Vadatchkoria said border guard vessel Turva ordered Eagle S into Finnish waters, an account corroborated by a lawyer representing the vessel’s registered owner Caravella.

Vadatchkoria said he knew the authorities had limited power in international waters (which Eagle S was in at the time), but followed the order anyway as he claimed there were weapons on board Turva.

“Why would I risk my crew, my ship and my cargo? I had no reason to flee,” he told Yle.

Personnel then boarded the tanker from helicopters. Vadatchkoria said he believed they had not boarded a tanker before and were not aware of the risks that come with such an operation.

Boarding a tanker via fast rope from a helicopter can increase the risk of static electricity, as can communication devices if they are not set up correctly.

“What they did was a serious violation of maritime safety,” he said.

Before his vessel was boarded, Vadatchkoria claims he ordered the vessel’s anchor to be raised. He described the moment he realised it was gone as one of the worst things he had experienced as a captain.

Two days later, he claimed the tanker was ordered to anchor outside Helsinki to undergo a port state inspection. When he initially refused, he claimed he was forced to obey at gunpoint.

He described interrogations conducted with the crew as psychologically stressful.

Vadatchkoria and his first and second officers were charged with aggravated criminal mischief and aggravated interference with communications by Finland’s National Prosecution Authority earlier this month. The three deny all charges.

Their hearing begins in Helsinki next week.

Vadatchkoria told Yle that he could not even be sure whether it was Eagle S’ anchor that cut the cables, and believed the whole incident was an accident.

He also claimed some damage could have been avoided if the authorities had acted sooner. He said the Finnish government was “aware of everything” as early as 1500 hrs on December 25, but instead chose to follow the tanker.

The Finnish border guard and Helsinki Police Department were contacted for comment.