A new analysis by the satellite monitoring company SpaceKnow shows that two large ships, with their tracking systems turned off, appeared around Nord Stream 1 and 2 in the days before the leaks were discovered, writes the American technology newspaper Wired. The ships were large, one 130 meters long and the other 95. – We have discovered some “dark ships” – vessels of considerable size, which passed through this area, says Jerry Javornicky, managing director of SpaceKnow, to the newspaper. – They had their radio signals and navigation systems switched off, so there is no information about their movements. They have tried to keep location information and general information hidden from the world, he adds. Discovered 25 ships in total AIS stands for automatic identification system. Large ships are required to install and use AIS. This tracking system was created to help ships navigate and avoid possible collisions with other vessels. When turned on, AIS will broadcast a ship’s name, position, direction of travel, speed and other information. SpaceKnow went through 90 days of archived satellite images of the area and discovered 25 large ships passing through the area in the weeks before the explosions, according to Javornicky. A total of 23 of these vessels had AIS switched on. But two of them did not, and these are the ones that passed the area in the days just before the leaks in the gas pipelines were discovered. Several countries investigating the leaks in the gas pipelines believe that Nord Stream 1 and 2 were shaken by a series of explosions. Russia has denied its involvement. The supposed sabotage of the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines was discovered on 26 September. Photo: The Danish Armed Forces – Simple way to hide It is relatively rare for ships to switch off the AIS system, says researcher and university lecturer at the Naval Academy Ståle Ulriksen. Ships that “go dark” are often suspected of being involved in illegal fishing, modern slavery, or of being warships. – It may well be that these ships have been involved in placing things there. Someone has done it, so it may well be that these two vessels have placed explosives. But it is difficult to know, says Ulriksen. In the system that monitors AIS, you can go far back in time and find out who is there. – When you switch off AIS, you are not visible on the map. Then you have to be seen on the radar, on a satellite, or by eyes nearby. If you want to hide, this is an easy way to do it, says Ulriksen. Head teacher in sea power Ståle Ulriksen at the Naval Academy. Photo: Naval Academy – Suspicious It can arouse suspicion when the AIS system is switched off, says Ulriksen. – If someone is already following you, it is suspicious if the AIS system is switched off. It’s not necessarily just smart to switch it off, it’s easy to suspect that it’s being operated with something that others shouldn’t see, he says. Ulriksen says there have been many observations of Russian research ships, civilians and yachts that have switched off the AIS. – And then they have appeared some distance away, without us knowing what they have done in the meantime. A good number of such observations have been made. They have switched off the system outside important places, for example Tjeldbergodden in Nordmøre, where wires run. Having sent the data to Nato SpaceKnow reported the findings to Nato, which is investigating the incidents. Javornicky says that Nato has asked the company for more information. The new satellite images may further strengthen the suspicion of sabotage. Nato spokesperson Oana Lungescu tells Wired that they are not commenting on details about source use in the investigation, but says that the incident was “a deliberate and irresponsible act of sabotage”, and that they have increased their presence in the Baltic and North Seas. According to the newspaper, an unnamed source in Nato confirms that Nato has received SpaceKnow’s data and said that the satellite images may prove useful for the investigation. The supposed sabotage of the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines was discovered on 26 September. Photo: The Danish Defense Four leaks At the end of September, four leaks were discovered on Nord Stream 1 and 2, both pipelines built to transport gas from Russia to Germany via the Baltic Sea. Sabotage was suspected quite quickly and the EU and NATO are among those who assume that this is the case. Both Danish, Swedish and German authorities are investigating the case. Russians are now doing their own research on the Nord Stream pipelines. Russia’s Ministry of Defense has for its part claimed that a British naval unit was behind explosions on the Nord Stream gas pipelines, but has not provided any evidence.
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Captured mysterious “dark ships” before the Nord Stream explosions – news Urix – Foreign news and documentaries
