Filo Jet shipwreck investigation reveals black box was deactivated before disaster

Court documents from the Girne Accident Court have revealed critical details regarding the Filo Jet shipwreck off the coast of Kyrenia, which resulted in 27 deaths. Evidence suggests the vessel was sent on its final voyage despite known risks and mechanical failures.

Audio recordings from the bridge indicate that crew members were aware of recurring issues, including water ingress during rough weather and frequent malfunctions in the generator and steering systems. One recorded assessment stated, “This ship will not make it through this season,” suggesting the vessel's unseaworthiness was recognized prior to the incident.

Furthermore, an expert report on the Voyage Data Recorder (VDR) found that the black box was deactivated on August 28, two days before the ship sank on August 30. No official notification regarding the deactivation was provided to the Port Authority. Investigations are now focusing on whether the operating company intentionally disabled the device and bypassed mandatory maintenance costs to prepare the ship for sale.