The Roxen: Crew Feedback and Vessel Data

The fishing vessel 'Roxen', which had been detained by Russian officials near the Kaliningrad enclave on May 10, has finally been released and departed from port on June 25 at 5:15 PM. Meanwhile, the ship's captain remains under house arrest as Russian authorities continue their investigation into alleged illegal fishing activities. The shipping company managing 'Roxen' has expressed significant dissatisfaction with the measures taken against the vessel and has reportedly paid nearly SEK 7.6 million to secure its release. According to Russian investigators, the Estonian captain is suspected of intentionally entering the Russian economic zone to fish. However, the shipping company argues that navigation equipment issues were responsible for the trawler's brief incursion into the restricted area, which lasted approximately two hours.

Estonian maritime company Morobell is prepared to secure the release of its detained fishing vessel, the 'Roxen,' by posting a bail of €720,000. The vessel was apprehended by Russian border authorities on May 10 for allegedly breaching fishing regulations within Russia's exclusive economic zone. Authorities discovered over 7.5 tonnes of illicitly caught fish aboard the boat, leading to estimated damages of $757,000. Following the incident, an investigation was initiated, and the 'Roxen' was escorted to the Kaliningrad sea fishing port for further proceedings. The crew aboard the vessel includes four Estonian nationals currently residing in Finland. According to Morobell's spokesperson, Baum, there is uncertainty regarding the vessel’s release even if the bail is paid, given that charges have been filed against the captain for illegal fishing and the boat itself may be classified as an instrument of a crime. Baum clarified that the entry into Russia’s exclusive economic zone was reportedly due to navigational errors.

On May 10, 2019, the fishing vessel 'Roxen' was apprehended by Russian border guards in the exclusive economic zone off the western coast of Kaliningrad, situated in the Baltic Sea. The trawler was escorted to the Kaliningrad Sea Fishing Port early the next day, at 6:30 a.m., where border guards conducted a thorough inspection. During the examination, they uncovered over 7.5 tons of illicitly caught fish aboard the vessel. Preliminary assessments revealed that the impact on Russia's aquatic biological resources was significant, estimated to surpass 49 million rubles in damages. As of May 16, the 'Roxen' remained docked at the port, pending further investigation.