Crew Reviews, Ratings & Info for Fitburg

On January 12, patrol vessel Turva, alongside coastal patrol units, escorted the cargo ship 'Fitburg' out of Finnish territorial waters. This action was sanctioned after the vessel completed the necessary protocols related to a police-led criminal investigation and a replacement crew was onboard. The 'Turva' previously undertook underwater investigations in the Gulf of Finland, directed by the Finnish National Criminal Police, revealing vital findings. Collaborative efforts were evident as the Navy's mine-hunting vessel 'Katanpää' and Estonian authorities joined the investigations. Notably, the 'Turva' documented a drag line spanning tens of kilometers, attributed to the anchor of the 'Fitburg.' Commodore Mikko Simola from the Gulf of Finland Maritime Guard Section praised the efficiency of the maritime team, stating that their swift action prevented potential damage to critical underwater infrastructure. The interdiction was a product of seamless inter-agency cooperation spearheaded by the police. The Finnish authorities remain committed to bolstering monitoring of hazardous vessel traffic in the Gulf of Finland, ensuring preparedness through continuous cooperation with both domestic and international partners. For more details, visit: https://raja.fi/sv/-/gransbevakningsvasendet-eskorterade-fitburg-fartyget-fran-finland.

On January 12, the Finnish authorities officially released the cargo vessel 'Fitburg', which had previously been detained due to suspicions of sabotage in relation to damage inflicted upon Elisa's submarine cable connecting Helsinki and Tallinn on New Year's Eve. The ship was carrying 14 crew members from various nations including Russia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan at the time of its seizure. After a thorough investigation by the Finnish and Estonian police on board, the ship was cleared for departure. It set sail from the port of Kantvik in Kirkkonummi at 11 a.m. and is now en route from St. Petersburg, Russia, to Haifa, Israel, with an expected arrival date of February 1. The Border Guard has been actively monitoring the ship's movements. Meanwhile, one crew member remains in custody and is awaiting trial, following the District Court's decision to escalate his status from a reasonable suspect to a probable suspect on January 11. Additionally, three other crew members are currently under a ban from leaving Finland. In a significant development last week, Customs opted not to initiate a criminal investigation regarding the 'Fitburg'. Despite transporting sanctioned steel products, the vessel did not breach any sanctions as the goods were brought into Finnish waters under the direction of the authorities. Investigations into several criminal offenses related to the incident are still ongoing.

In a significant development, the Central Criminal Police have taken control of the vessel 'Fitburg' in Kantvik, Kirkkonummi, following the Finnish Customs' decision to retract its earlier suspicions regarding sanctions violations. The seizure, effective January 7 at 8 a.m., aims to facilitate preliminary investigations after Customs announced that they would not pursue a criminal case against the ship. Law enforcement officials deemed the seizure essential to conduct a thorough technical examination onboard as part of their inquiry, which includes questioning the crew members. A collaborative investigative team comprising both Finnish and Estonian Central Criminal Police has been established to delve into the incidents surrounding the 'Fitburg'. The investigation focuses on potential criminal activities involving serious damage, attempted damage, and major disruptions to postal and telecommunications networks due to a cable breach. One crew member has been detained on suspicion of criminal involvement, while three others face travel bans as the investigation continues. Meanwhile, Inkoo Shipping, the parent company of Kantvik Shipping, may need to reroute its operations by unloading other ships in Ingå, should the 'Fitburg' remain in the Kantvik port for an extended period. For further details, photos, and updates, you can visit the original report: https://yle.fi/a/7-10090963.

On January 4, Finnish authorities discovered an extensive towpath exceeding ten kilometers on the seabed, leading to the site where a crucial telecommunications cable connecting Finland and Estonia was damaged. This towpath is believed to have come from an anchor and chain associated with the detained vessel, the 'Fitburg', which has been held in Kantvik as of January 5, amid a continuing investigation led by the Central Criminal Police. In a significant development, the Helsinki City Court has remanded one of the crew members from the 'Fitburg' in custody on serious charges, including the suspicion of attempting to inflict severe damage and intentionally disrupting telecommunications operations. The investigation has involved close collaboration between Finnish and Estonian authorities at sea. Meanwhile, on January 5, Latvia reported a separate incident involving damage to an undersea optical cable near the coastal city of Liepāja, which runs from Šventoji, Lithuania, to Liepāja. Authorities in Latvia have taken action, boarding a vessel suspected to be connected to this incident, with support from the Latvian Coast Guard during the operation. However, no evidence was found linking the boarded ship, currently docked in the port of Liepāja, to the sabotage of underwater cables. Latvian police inspected the vessel, including its anchor and technical equipment, and noted that the crew had been cooperative throughout the process. Arelion, the operator responsible for the Latvia-Lithuania fiber link, reported on January 5 that one of its cables connecting Finland and Estonia was compromised on December 31, with another cable from Estonia to Sweden ceasing operation on December 30. Each of these three cables have been fully severed, and investigations are underway. The restoration of the first cable is anticipated within a few days, with the others expected to be back online within a timeframe of one to two weeks. Notably, four vessels traversed the Lithuania-Latvia cable route on their journey to the port of Liepāja on January 2, coinciding with the timing of the most recent incident, and three of those ships remained docked as of January 6.

On December 31, 2025, the Finnish authorities apprehended the 'Fitburg' off the coast of Porkkala, with 14 crew members on board, including individuals from Russia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan. The vessel is under investigation for allegedly damaging a vital telecommunications cable that links Helsinki, Finland, to Tallinn, Estonia. All 14 crew members have been detained as part of the investigation. The 'Fitburg', which was traveling from St. Petersburg, Russia, to Haifa, began its maneuvers at 5:53 a.m. UTC shortly after entering Finland's exclusive economic zone. However, the ship soon drifted and halted its movement. At 11:40 a.m., a pilot boarded the vessel, and by 11:57 a.m., the tug 'Ajax' was engaged in assisting the 'Fitburg'. A border patrol helicopter had previously monitored the ship navigating through Finland’s economic waters while it attempted to anchor. The Finnish telecom provider Elisa reported a malfunction with the cable on that same morning. In response, Finnish border police initiated an investigation into the damage to this critical undersea infrastructure, which is located within Estonia's economic waters. Upon inspection, authorities noted that the anchor chain of the 'Fitburg' seemed to have been intentionally lowered into the water, prompting the Border Guard to order the vessel to halt and raise its anchor. Finnish law enforcement is focusing on serious cybersecurity threats, including allegations of sabotage and attempted sabotage. In light of these developments, Finnish President Alexander Stubb emphasized the nation's preparedness for various security challenges, stating that Finland would respond accordingly. Prime Minister Petteri Orpo remains in communication with Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal, highlighting the collaborative efforts between the two nations. For elements including photos and videos, visit the following sources: [Yle](https://yle.fi/a/7-10090778) and [Aftonbladet](https://www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/a/GxGRVB/slapade-sitt-ankare-flera-kilometer).

On January 2, 2023, Finnish authorities reported significant advancements in their criminal probe regarding the damages inflicted on an undersea telecommunications cable owned by Elisa. Consequently, the police apprehended two crew members aboard the 'Fitburg'. Although the cable remains non-operational, a comprehensive assessment of the damage is still pending. The inspection of the 'Fitburg' commenced on January 1 at 4:55 p.m. and concluded at 9:10 p.m. During the investigation, the ship's captain was promptly notified about the cargo detention. Customs officials performed a thorough structural examination of the vessel, inspecting both the cargo holds and the deck structures. Sample materials were collected for analysis while the investigation into the ship's anchor and any potential damage to it also began. Interviews with the crew took place that same evening, leading to formal interrogations by the Central Criminal Police starting January 1. Two crew members were arrested, and two additional individuals received travel restrictions. Upon reviewing the documentation and inspecting the cargo, customs officials identified the items as structural steel, which they interpreted as being subject to European Union sanctions. Notably, the importation of sanctioned goods into the EU is strictly prohibited under current regulations. In light of this, Customs has continued its investigation, examining the circumstances surrounding the case, including the applicability of EU sanctions laws. These investigations were initiated following the discovery of the sanctioned steel products aboard the ship. While details regarding the goods’ origins and intended destinations remain undisclosed, Customs has activated a preliminary investigation to further explore potential sanction violations. The Prosecutor General's Office has been notified, and Customs is collaborating with the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the Police and Border Guard, and other relevant national and international agencies to gather comprehensive insights on the matter. For further information, you can view accompanying reports and images on the following links: [Finnish Customs](https://tulli.fi/-/tulli-fitburg-aluksen-lastina-pakotteiden-alaisia-terastuotteita?fbclid=IwT01FWAPEahBleHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAwzNTA2ODU1MzE3MjgAAR5rQ0JdFYALvE5qklMksRJcZehuNfJFrXQIjzNzfW9xTUxdn0bNxQnXKnBSRQ_aem_BOzL_5gdtjFzK6KKYx2bLA), [Police Investigation](https://poliisi.fi/-/fitburg-alukseen-liittyva-tutkinta-jatkuu), [Nordisch](https://www.nordisch.info/finnland/finnischer-zoll-findet-sanktionierte-ware-auf-festgesetztem-schiff/).

On January 24, 2020, the cargo vessel 'Fitburg', while navigating from St. Petersburg to Rotterdam with a load of steel products, encountered a significant setback due to damage to its main engine turbocharger shortly after departure. The incident necessitated a course change, prompting the ship to divert to Tallinn, where it arrived on January 28 at 11:40 a.m. After undergoing repairs for several days, the 'Fitburg' was declared fit for travel again, resuming its journey towards Rotterdam on February 7 at 3 p.m. The vessel finally reached its stop at anchor off the port on February 11 at 8:40 a.m., positioned at coordinates 57° 36.82' N 010° 41.40' E.