©
2006 The Independent Fact Group
Updates
Here you find the latest updates with the most recent ones at the top.
2006.04.25 MV
Estonia - Possible reasons behind a cover up regarding the MV Estonia disaster
Analysis of the relation between possible investigation levels and influence
from different parties
In this report the Independent Fact Group for the first time officially
show the complex involvement from different parties that have no or little
interest in a new Independent Investigation of the MV Estonia disaster. Our
graphic analysis are based on the findings where it over the years have been
proved that the parties described have had a substantial reason to hide, cover
up or avoid the truth.
2006.04.15 M/V Estonia - Non official videos from the wreck of MV Estonia can give new answers
Analysis of the circumstances regarding non official videos from the wreck
of MV Estonia
In this report the Independent Fact Group shows that there were an substantial
amount of non official filming made from the wreck of MV Estonia during 1996,
this in spite of the Agreement and law that states that the MV Estonia and
the (defined) surrounding area shall be regarded as a final place of rest
for victims of the disaster, and such shall be afforded appropriate respect.
Several videos were (and are) still not official and more than 20 hours of
film are still in Finnish custody. If analysed those recordings may give new
information and answers regarding the circumstances and events of the disaster
of the ship.
2006.04.09 M/V Estonia - What the divers saw at the car deck of MV Estonia
Analysis of a video film recorded by divers investigating the car deck
In this report the Independent Fact Group for the first time show pictures
taken on the MV Estonia car deck, pictures that without doubt show that somebody
after the disaster when the ship was resting on the seabed, detonated explosives
inside the actuator room where the hydraulics for the ramp and visor was situated.
The pictures also show that the divers under the lead of the Swedish National
Maritime Administration, Johan Franson, has seen, filmed and investigated
the damage from explosions that penetrated several bulkheads at the car deck.
2006.04.04 M/V Estonia analysis - activities at M/V Estonia between 1994 and 1996
Analysis of the forward bulkhead 1994 versus 1996
In these analysis, the Independent Fact Group shows that the video films
taken by JAIC in 1994 and 1996 (oil recovering) on the wreck of M/V Estonia,
reveals, among other things, that extensive activities have been performed
on the wreck after December 1994 and before the summer of 1996.
2006.04.03 M/V Estonia - Finding the Estonia bow visor
The written information sent between members in the JAIC tell a new story.
The visor was found no later than the 9th of October 1994.
Link to main subject "Estonia" and "Reports".
2004.09.28 M/V Estonia - 10 years after the disaster.
September 28th 2004, ten years have passed since the loss of MV Estonia. The cause of the sinking has not been investigated.
No hole in the hull below the water line?
Link to main subject "Estonia" and "Reports".
By Anders Björkman
Damage on the forward bulkhead of MV Estonia
On Christmas Eve 02.12.24 the IFG posed the question how the upper part
of starboard visor lug opening in the superstructure bulkhead plate of the
Estonia could have been damaged indented and buckled as the visorlug itself
is apparently seen still being fixed by the visor lock; the lug and a part
of the visor support plate having been ripped off from the visor.
Link to main subject "Forum" and "Papers". You can also open the file in a new window here.
2002.12.24 - M/V Estonia analysis - damage on the forward bulkhead
Non conclusive damage explanation, damage on the forward
bulkhead of MV Estonia
This report imposes further "impossible" and unpleasant
facts. The Independent Fact Group show that JAIC's explanation
regarding damage above the starboard visor locking lug is incorrect.
Furthermore, when analysed, the damage can not have occurred
unless the starboard visor locking lug itself was detached from
the ship when the damage happend. There is just one "minor
problem", the visor locking lug is still attached to the
ship. Link to main subject "Estonia" and "Reports".
You can also open the file in a new window here.
2001.12.24 - M/V Estonia deformation riddle
What caused the damage, a plastic
deformation, on the starboard front bulkhead?
The Independent Fact Group asks for the explanation,
and present a number of facts below. Our intention with this
riddle is not to prove conclusive evidence for any scenario.
We only want an answer to why the damage on the starboard side
of the front bulkhead is of a different type in relation
to the corresponding damage on the port side. Link to main subject
"Estonia" and "Reports". You can also open
the file in a new window here.
2001-11-29 M/V Amorella, Viking Line
Inspection of safety onboard 2001.05.27
The report show the status of personal safety on board this ferry
on the permanent route between Sweden and Finland. Seven years
after the Estonia disaster there still is a lack of safety implementation
up to a minimum standard of international law at sea, SOLAS.
2001-11-29 M/V Isabella, Viking Line
Inspection of safety onboard 2001.05.27
The report show the status of personal safety on board this ferry
on the permanent route between Sweden and Finland. Seven years
after the Estonia disaster there still is a lack of safety implementation
up to a minimum standard of international law at sea, SOLAS.
2001.11.03 - SKL, Swedish Police Criminal Laboratory expert report - ( only in Swedish )
An investigation of the document from the JAIC report (supplement)
proven to be a forgery by the Independent Fact Group
To further prove our report "Forgery to hide lack of
seaworthiness" an investigation of the documents has been
performed by the SKL (Statens Kriminaltekniska Laboratorium)
Swedish Police Criminal Laboratory
in Lindköping, Sweden.
A Port State Control on M/V Estonia was conducted on 27 September 1994 in Tallinn before the last departure. A considerable number of deficiencies were discovered on this occasion, 14 were noted in a report of which 5 were serious enough to detain the ship from departure. M/V Estonia was not seaworthy. The Independent Fact Group shows that the copy of the Port State Control protocol printed in the JAIC's final report is a forgery.
The expert report by the SKL prove that the Port State Control protocol printed in the JAIC's final report is NOT a copy of the original document as stated by the JAIC.
You can open the file in a new window here.
2001.10.28 - Everybody on board the ferry could have been saved! ( only in Swedish )
A comparison between M/V Express Samina and M/V Estonia
Almost on the day 6 years after the shipwreck of M/V Estonia, the 26 September 2000, the Greek ferry Expels Samina hit at rock and sink outside Paros. Water enter through a big hole in the watertight hull under the car deck and the ferry is lost similar to the Estonia.
According to international regulations all watertight doors in the watertight bulkheads shall be closed at sea. They were not on Express Samina and therefore the water could spread quickly through all compartments under car deck. When enough water had filled the ship it lost its floating capacity and was lost. All this according to experts that have investigated the casualty.
The Greek's hasn't forgot their Archimedes!
You can open the file in a new window here.
2001.07.11 - Swedish Board of Psycologic Defence - SPF - ( only in Swedish )
What are the actions taken by the Swedish Board of Psycologic Defence in regard to their mission given by the government in connection to the decision not to support a new Estonia investigation?
A review of the book "To communicate with people under
the stress of circumstances" [our translation] by the Swedish
Board of Psycologic Defence (SPF), sent out to a limited number
of relatives and survivers.
You can open the file in a new window
here.
2001.07.11 - Swedish Board of Psycologic Defence - SPF - ( only in Swedish )
Are they answering questions from the public according to the mission given by the government 2001.04.19?
The correspondence between the Swedish lawyer Anders Björkman
and the SPF indicates that the SPF does not fulfill the obligations
according to their mission.
You can open the file in a new window here.
2001.04.01 - M/V Estonia reports now also in full versions on the site.
Link to main subject "Estonia" and "Reports", or
Download the complete report "Urkundsförfalskning för att dölja bristande sjövärdighet" (650 K pdf only in Swedish)
Download the complete report "Impossible visor scenario" (1100 K pdf)
Download the complete
report "Recovery damage to the visor" (1700
K pdf )
2001.02.11 - M/V Estonia reports
"Partial status report" - (html)
M/V Estonia - the last voyage
This report is what we have chosen to call a "partial
status report". In that respect the report is different
from earlier reports. The reason for the change of format is
that the subject is so extensive that it can not be presented
in the one and same report. This "partial status report-
the last voyage" focus on the first part of the voyage.
The aim with this report is to show that the route concluded
by JAIC is incorrect. The JAIC route was used to support their
scenario on how M/V Estonia could loose her visor. This report
will reveal the sloppy investigation work performed by JAIC and
further more call for a new investigation of the disaster. Link
to main subject "Estonia" and "Reports".
You can also open the file in a new window here.
2001.01.21 - Swedish Board of Accident Investigation, correct practice by authorities?- ( only in Swedish / endast på svenska )
Can we demand that Swedish authorities shall prosecute their duties in acordance with laws and regulations?
You can open the file in a new window here.
2000.12.24 - M/V Estonia Visor riddle
The picture of the visor "standing" on the side
of the ship!
The Independent Fact Group Visor riddle ask for an explanation
of the mysterious facts presented below. This is something for
you to look in to, explain, judge or just accept. Our intention
with this findings and our limited analyze of the material is
not to hold it as conclusive evidence for any scenario. It is
to question whether or not it by coincidence was possible to
create pictures showing an identical object with the visor, standing
on the side of the ship after the accident. Link to main subject
"Estonia" and "Reports". You can also open
the file in a new window here.
2000.11.18 - M/V Estonia Diving Analysis
Trace of an irregular damage in the hull of M/V Estonia
- 2000
In this report the Independent Fact Group analyze the pictures
taken during the Bemis expedition August 2000. Members of the
diving expedition has claimed that the pictures show evidence
of hole in the starboard hull. Link to main subject "Estonia"
and "Diving Analysis". You can also open the file in
a new window here.
2000.10.01 - M/V Estonia Articles/Books - ( only in Swedish / endast på svenska )
"Varför skulle jag ljuga om Estonia"
Sten Anderssons article in the newspaper Nya
Dagen. Vi reply with full comments on the issues he address.
Link to main subject "Estonia" and "Articles/Books".
You can also open the file in a new window here
2000.09.20 - M/V Estonia reports
"Non-evaluated damages and misleading conclusions" - (html)
The International M/V Estonia Seminar,
Stockholm 29-30 May 2000
Paper NF-5 by the Independent
Fact Group prove that the JAIC made incorrect conclusions
regarding the mating boxes on the ramp, the preventer wires for
the ramp and the bottom plating on the visor. Further more JAIC
did not manage to identify nor evaluate the missing ramp railings
(cut off and found at the seabed), the severe damage to the bulbous
bow (port underside), and finally the hole in the hull. Link
to main subject "Estonia" and "Reports".
You can also open the file in a new window here.
2000.09.17 - Safety/Articles
Svenska Dagbladet den 12 september 2000
"Färjor klarar inte kraven" -
( only in Swedish /
endast på svenska )
The Swedish National Maritime Administration being criticized
from the auditors of the Swedish Parliament. Link to main subject
"Safety" and "Articles".
You can also open the file in a new window here.
2000.09.16 - M/V Estonia Articles/Books - ( only in Swedish / endast på svenska )
"A. Hellberg and A. Jörles book "Katastrofkurs" - a review"
A review of the book from the authors Hellberg and Jörle
that disclose a lack of knowledge in regard to the MV Estonia
and the shipwreck of the same. Link to main subject "Estonia"
and "Articles/Books".
You can also open the file in a new window here
2000.09.13 - M/V Estonia Diving Analysis
In this analysis report, the Independent Fact Group shows
that the video films taken by the "Bemis expedition in August
2000" on the ship wreck of MV Estonia, reveals, among other
things, that extensive activities has been performed on the wreck
after June 1996 and before the summer of 2000. Link to main subject
"Estonia" and "Reports".
You can also open the file in a new window here.
2000.09.11 - M/V Estonia articles
6 "new" articles are presented, earlier published
in Svenska Dagbladet. Link to main subject "Estonia"
and "Articles".
You can also open the file in a new window here.
2000.06.24 - M/V Estonia reports
Download "Recovery damage to the visor / Bärgningsskador på visiret" (780 K pdf)
"Recovery damage to the visor / Bärgningsskador på visiret" (html)
M/V Estonia report 2000.05.01 (an excerpt)
In this report, the Independent Fact Group shows that damage
to the visor was caused by the visor recovery operations, and
that the Commission failed or did not care to identify damage
related to the recovery. As a consequence, the damage to the
visor has been consistently identified as caused by the "loss
of the visor", and was identified by the Commission as directly
related to the sinking of the MV Estonia. The Independent Fact
Group shows that it is probable that a considerable proportion
of the damages previously found to be a result of the loss of
the visor, was instead the result of the recovery operation.