Intensive work with the investigation on Sea Owl I

Ships not complying with national and international legislation, choosing to violate international agreements, pose a high risk to maritime traffic, ports and the environment. Therefore, the Swedish Coast Guard has decided to intervene in two cases.

− The shipping business should know that the Swedish Coast Guard maintain order at sea and act to increase safety for those operating in our sea areas. Anyone who violates this order should know that we will intervene when the conditions are right, says Daniel Stenling, Acting Head of the Operations Department at the Swedish Coast Guard.

EU sanction designated vessel

The Swedish Coast Guard has intervened against suspected violations of maritime law, with the aim of protecting safety on our seas. The operation has taken place against vessels with suspected false flags and lack of seaworthiness. Sea Owl I is on the EU sanctions list. In the case of the Caffa, the deficiencies on board the vessel have proven so serious that the Swedish Transport Agency has decided on a ban on use – the vessel may not continue its voyage until the deficiencies have been rectified. It is not possible to say today whether the Swedish Transport Agency may also issue such a ban regarding the Sea Owl I.

Extensive investigations

The criminal investigations, concerning crimes of lack of seaworthiness and use of a false documentation, a serious crime, and further violations of the Maritime Act, are led by the Swedish Prosecution Authority in Malmö. The Swedish Coast Guard carries out the investigative measures announced by the prosecutor. Due to the fact that a large part of the information relating to the suspected crimes is covered by the secrecy of preliminary investigations, the authorities are restricted in sharing information. The prosecutor will return when the investigations are at such a stage that more can be said.

The Swedish Prosecution Authority is continuously updating the information about both investigations on its website.

Cooperation with the Police Special Intervention Unit since2006

The Swedish Coast Guard's National Boarding Group has a well-established and well-functioning cooperation with the Police authority and the Police Special Intervention Unitfor special operations in the maritime environment. This cooperation is used events that may become complex and risky.The Swedish Coast Guard has currently no further information about the operation and the investigation.