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The captain of Maersk Surabaya, a container ship, has been arrested by the Australian Federal Police for damaging the Australian Singapore Cable. Some submarine communications cables belonging to the Perth Submarine Cable Protection Zone, approximately 10 km from City Beach, had been invalidated because of the incident.

It has been alleged that the container ship caused extensive damage that sums up to $1.5 million. This had been reported to AFP on 3 August 2021. The captain, who is a citizen of Ukraine, had been arrested following an investigation carried out by AFP officers in Victoria and Western Australia.

Maersk Surabaya allegedly dragged the anchor into an area of strong wind and also hooked a cable that was 20-meter-deep to destroy the latter.

Image for representation purpose only ; Image Credits: maersksocial.com

The man had appeared on 11 August 2021 via a video at the Melbourne Magistrate Court. Contrary to Schedule 3A (Section 37) of the Telecommunications Act of 1997, the individual had been negligent despite being the captain of a vessel, impacting Singapore Cable, Australia.

The crime may result in imprisonment for three years and a fine of $40,000. However, the man has been granted release on bail. He is quarantining at a COVID Hotel.

Graeme Marshall, an AFP detective, said that any kind of impairment to submarine cables may result in financial repercussions for customers and cable operators, including poor connectivity and improper data access.

AFP detective Marshall said that the protected area has been chalked out on the chart. All captains need to make sure that the vessel operates in such a way that it in no way interferes with the communications infrastructure.

Reference: illinoisnewstoday.com

Container Ship Captain Arrested For Damaging Underwater Cables Off Perth appeared first on Marine Insight – The Maritime Industry Guide

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