The captain of a boat that capsized in the Black Sea off the town of Zatoka in Odesa Oblast has been declared a suspect in a criminal investigation into the accident, which killed 14 people.
The passenger boat “Ivolga” capsized 300 meters off the shore during a storm on Oct. 17 with 36 passengers on board, including its crew of three persons.
The boat, which was only licensed to carry 12 passengers, was dangerously overloaded. The overloading is thought to have been a factor in the drowning deaths, as the boat’s emergency life raft could take only 12 people.
The “Ivolga” went to sea for a fishing trip. It left port around 7 a.m. in the morning, and was on its way back to port when a high wave hit the side of the boat and turned it over.
The actual number of the victims may be even higher. Odesa police said they were checking testimony from some of the surviving passengers that indicated there could have been more than 36 people on board.
An archive photo shows the “Ivolga” boat.
Local media in Odesa reported that the captain, who allegedly also owns the boat, used a wooden chair to get to the shore and then fled the scene.
Police found the captain in his apartment next day, on Oct. 18. Odesa Governor Mikheil Saakashvili said the captain was “dead drunk” when found.
The man, whose name has not been made public, is suspected of violating safety rules, thereby causing the death of his passengers. He faces from five to 10 years in prison if found guilty.
A video by Odesa-based 7 channel shows aerial footage of the boat floating upside down.
Deputy Prime Minister Hennadiy Zubko, who is overseeing the investigation into the accident, has criticized the crew for not sending a SOS signal.
The “Ivolga” was capsized for two days until it was lifted on Oct. 19 with a help of a crane vessel.
A video by Odesa-based 7 channel shows the “Ivolga” being lifted by a crane vessel on Oct. 19.
