The Security Service is investigating the incident as suspected gross sabotage and has seized the vessel, but according to Aleksandr Kaltjev, it is highly likely to be an accident.
On Saturday, there were strong winds at sea and water splashed onto the deck. When the strong winds subsided the next morning, the crew checked for potential damage.
He claims that an anchor on the vessel "came loose" during the storm and was damaged, which is shown in pictures taken by TT's photographer.
According to Finland's Meteorological Institute, the weather was not "bad in any way", reports Helsingin Sanomat.
It's an arm on the anchor that has been damaged, says Aleksandr Kaltjev.
Stopped immediately
He further claims that the vessel stopped as soon as this was discovered.
According to several experts who have spoken to TT earlier, it is almost impossible to drop an anchor on the seabed without the crew noticing.
We don't know exactly how long the anchor was out or exactly when it happened. But it doesn't have to mean that the vessel caused the damage or that it was intentional. We don't believe that, and it's something the investigation will have to look into, says Aleksandr Kaltjev.
Neither the prosecutor leading the preliminary investigation nor the Coast Guard has wanted to comment on whether the crew on the vessel has cooperated voluntarily.
According to Aleksandr Kaltjev, the vessel followed orders from Swedish authorities to move from the Swedish economic zone to Swedish waters.
The Coast Guard gave an order to cooperate, which the vessel did voluntarily. It's a completely normal procedure within our company.
"Does not want to be associated with sabotage"
Swedish authorities have not yet been in contact with the shipping company, says Aleksandr Kaltjev, and emphasizes that it is in the company's interest to cooperate.
— The company has existed since 1992 and is well-known. The Bulgarian state owns 30 percent of the company, and Bulgaria is a member of NATO. We do not want to be associated with sabotage. To me, what happened doesn't sound logical.
According to the international shipping database Equasis, the vessel is owned by China, reports Helsingin Sanomat. Kaltjev denies this information and tells TT that they themselves have full control over the vessel and that China is only a financier.
