CHELSEA-3
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21 days ago
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Crew questioned, debris found on board further investigated
Crew members of the 'Chelsea 3' have been questioned before a judge, while Bulgaria’s Specialised Counter-Terrorism Unit has collected swab samples from the damaged areas of the ship. A forensic explosives examination has been ordered to establish the type and magnitude of the explosion and whether it had any specific characteristics. The debris found on Oct 20 should not yet be described as drone parts, as it remained to be established whether the fragments came from the ship or from a maritime drone, according to the supervising prosecutor Kiril Peychinov on Oct 21. The pieces have been submitted for expert examination to determine whether they bear serial numbers or other markings that could provide information about the drone’s origin. During the initial inspection, these did not appear to be components of the ship, but the examination has been ordered to make sure. The results would not be ready within a week or two. The investigation involved the cooperation with all operational services and foreign partners, who were providing assistance as specialists in the relevant field rather than acting as investigators. Obtaining an additional expert opinion was particularly valuable, given that Bulgarian authorities had not faced a similar situation before. There was only one investigation, conducted by Bulgarian authorities under the supervision of the Sofia Regional Prosecutor’s Office.On Oct 20, the Sofia Military Regional Prosecutor’s Office announced that it had opened pre-trial proceedings following a report alleging a criminal offence in Bulgaria’s EEZ in the Black Sea involving the 'Chelsea 3'.
Damaged ship towed to Burgas
The ' Chelsea 3' has been towed to Burgas on Oct 16, after a 24-hour operation hampered by adverse weather conditions. The operation began after more than seven hours of inspections,at about 10:30 a.m., under the ministry and the Burgas Maritime Administration. Zhivko Petrov was the captain. The navy and border police also took part. The 'Chelsea 3' lay 12.5 nautical miles south of Cape Maslen Nos and 10.7 nautical miles east of Lozenets, near Tsarevo. Its anchor had been caught on the sea floor, which kept the ship steady and let the towing begin. By 2:00 p.m. the tug 'Aliot' and the cargo mv 'Chelsea 2' (IMO: 9314442), a second ship with the same owner as the 'Chelsea 3', were alongside the damaged vessel. Crews then spent nearly seven hours on checks and preparation. At 8:55 p.m. the convoy set off for Burgas, where the ship was safely moored despite severe damages and water ingress at the port side bow, starboard side amidships at the height of the waterline and the port stern above the waterline, where the drones had penetrated the hull, at berth 25. Bulgarian authorities started an the investigation. The findings would be made public and shared with European partners. Additional technical assistance would also be provided if necessary. The Military Prosecutor’s Office in Sofia has launched an investigation into a suspected war crime in connection with the attack. Experts were set to determine the exact nature of the damage, the weaponry used in the attack, and the origin of the drones that struck the vessel. Reports with photos: https://www.bgnes.com/economy/chelsea-3-arrives-in-burgas-after-complex-salvage-operation-investigation-into-attack-underway https://darik.bg/korabat-e-prazen-az-go-garantiram-kapitan-petrov-za-proverkite-za-radiacia-na-chelsi-3~548104.html
Drone debris found on board
Bulgarian law enforcement authorities have discovered drone debris aboard the 'Chelsea 3'. The Bulgarian Transport Minister Georgi Peev announced the discovery on Oct 20 in the village of Kaloyanovo, near Plovdiv: "As far as I know, some debris has already been found and is currently being analysed. Once the results are available, the public will, of course, be duly informed." He added that Bulgarian authorities would seek assistance from experienced partner organisations if they lacked the technical capabilities required to investigate the drone attack. The salvage operation cost Bulgaria approximately €200,000. The country may seek to recover these expenses through insurance payments or claim compensation from the vessel's owner. The Sofia Military District Prosecutor's Office launched pre-trial proceedings into a suspected crime committed in Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone in the Black Sea in connection with the attack.
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