Today, owners of vessel built in 1907 gather to discuss ways of saving it.
Sailboat still stuck
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According to Kaido, former captain of the sailboat Blue Sirius driven aground in Gulf of Finland near Aegna Island late Friday night, the accident may have been caused by inability to pilot the vessel. Yesterday, the boat was still stuck on top of a heap of rocks, in 1.3 metres deep water.
Mr Vagiström said the accident cannot be labelled navigation error. «Can clumsiness be considered navigation error?» he asked, rhetorically.
According to Mr Vagiström, he is deeply grieved by what has happened; even so, due to conflict of interests, he would not provide further details. Namely: the man had desired to purchase Blue Sirius from its former owner.
Seamarks ignored
According to sailing vessel Kajsamoor’s captain Herkki Haldre, the accident can only be judged by facts presently known. «We may only analyse the facts known to us, which are scarce. It’s a sorry story, though,» said he.
To our knowledge, winds were occasionally 13 metres a second at the time of the accident, waves rising to 2 metres. According to Mr Haldre, this is nothing difficult for a ship like that – the Bay of Tallinn being well seamarked, visibility having been good.
The Kajsamoor captain added that even in new waters, any sailor should know the seamarks. «The Bay of Tallinn is extremely well marked. Not knowing where you are – that just cannot be,» said he.
Thus, the Viinistu-bound Blue Sirius captain must have ignored the seamarks. Kajsamoor’s captain would guess they failed to consider some of the marks, going according a mark further off – the Aegna beacon light.
While passing the island, the vessel headed towards the beacon light, continuing at six knots (11 km/h, 6,8 mph – edit). They went straight i.e. not changing course till the accident.
According to Mr Haldre, this reveals it could not have been a breakdown, as the vessel sailed purposefully straight towards the rocks. This information comes from the Marinetraffic database, providing a look of Blue Sirius’ last trip.
The Kajsamoor’s captain excluded the so called moving sands version i.e. shallow spots driven to other locations by strong waves. «The rocks would never move there. Meaning: we are talking about the boat sitting on rocks,» said the seaman.
Anchors slip mind
To avoid damaging the ship, casting anchors would have been enough. «Rule number one: cast anchor,» said Mr Haldre.
Anchors, however, were not cast. Therefore, the vessel has drifted 300-350 metres from the original accident site, driven by waves and winds.
Mr Haldre added that with amateurs, panicking could be understood. In this case, however, the crew could not have afforded to panic like this; therefore, he cannot understand the failure to use anchors.
«We are talking about a vessel involved in commercial carriage of passengers i.e. a professional ship. Ships of this sort must me manned with crews that are trained, taught, knowing what to do,» said he.
To our knowledge, the Blue Sirius crew was composed of people, the most competent of whom were two lads having disrupted their studies at maritime school.
As captain, a young man aged 19 was registered (name known to Postimees – edit), who used to study to become an engineman, at maritime school vocational department. With help by the school, he succeeded in acquiring recreational craft piloting licence.
The young captain was not keen on commenting the accident, cutting the call short at first opportunity. In 10 minutes, he called back to say he had no right to say anything. According to him, it would make sense to talk Peeter Kruusvall, one of Blue Sirius’ owners.
Salvable
Mr Kruusvall did not desire to talk about the details of the accident, the main thing now being to save the vessel. According to him, options for that were to be discussed today. It would be clarified which rescue crew and technology ought to be used.
Mr Kruusvall added that the 19-years-old captain could not be considered an ignoramus, having prior experience in sailing.
Diver work company Tuukritööde OÜ board member Kaido Peremees said they have had missions of this sort, like pulling out the submarine Lembitu and a fishing vessel salvaged near Paldiski. «It is always the issue of resources,» he added.
Of definite plans how to save Blue Sirius and its cost, Mr Peremees desired not to talk. Admittedly, he has been consulted regarding the Blue Sirius case.
Estonian Maritime Administration will not comment on the accident, as investigations have been assumed by Safety Investigation Bureau administrated by Ministry of Economy. The latter also refused to provide clarifications on the accident. According to Safety Investigation Bureau, investigations may last at least two to three months.