The stabiliser fin was found by the divers in its pocket slightly extending the hull plating which is probably due to gravity – see the image on the following page showing the forward part of the fin looking new and entirely unaffected – also by sediments. Contrary to the port fin, really looking badly affected, probably by ice – see the image below – the starboard fin does not look as if ever having been in use.  In this context reference is made to the interrogation of the watch A.B. Silver Linde before a Finnish court by lawyer Henrik Gahmberg.  Linde testified that the starboard stabiliser had never been fit for use since its installation in January/ February 1994.

The second image shows a view into the pocket looking somewhat more deteriorated with the fin at the lower side – see arrow. Consequently it has to be accepted that also the starboard stabiliser fin remained attached to the hull, did not break off and also did not create a hole in the hull which caused the engineers to start the bilge pumps. Reference is made in this respect to Chapter 29.6, pages 934 ff. of our Report, which will, however, be corrected further aft for other reasons. The question on the nature of the objects with a fin-like appearance found near the wreck on the seabed remains unanswered. (See pages 938/939 of our Report.)