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Rostock divers start risky ammunition expedition off Boltenhagen!
Pilot project to recover old ammunition in the Baltic Sea off Boltenhagen started. Goal: safely dispose of 15 tons in 30 days.
Rostock divers start risky ammunition expedition off Boltenhagen!
An exciting project has recently begun on the Baltic Sea that will be important not only for the region but also for generations to come. On August 9th, salvage work to remove contaminated ammunition began off Boltenhagen. The initiative, led by Rostock-based company Baltic Taucher, aims to recover around 15 tonnes of old ammunition over the next 30 days and is an essential part of efforts to eliminate the dangers of hazardous substances in the sea. According to the Baltic Sea newspaper A special platform called “Baltic Lift” will be anchored off Großklütz Höved in the Bay of Mecklenburg to carry out the work.
What exactly is happening here? The divers bring smaller pieces of ammunition and grenades with a diameter of 12.5 cm to the sorting station, where they undergo an extensive examination. The packing boxes are in very poor condition, which is of particular concern to the experts. Wolfgang Sichermann, marine technology expert, has not identified any acute risk of explosion, but warns of the carcinogenic substances that can escape from the corroding cartridges. The majority of old ammunition is hidden under sediment and mud, making recovery difficult.
Long-term challenges and solutions
The rescue operation is part of a larger emergency program launched by the federal government. The MDR reports that a total of 100 million euros have been made available to systematically recover contaminated sites in the North and Baltic Seas. Federal Environment Minister Steffi Lemke has emphasized that around 1.6 million tons of contaminated ammunition are suspected to be in German waters. In order to address the challenges of this generational task, the aim is to gain knowledge about the condition of the ordnance. Findings from the pilot project are intended to contribute to the planning of a floating disposal facility.
Another pilot project is planned for 2024 in the Bay of Lübeck, where new technologies for detecting and recovering war munitions will be tested. A variety of modern technologies are used here, including remote-controlled underwater vehicles. Loud NDR The cooperation of the various actors from politics, science and industry will play a crucial role in effectively dealing with this environmental policy challenge.
The next few weeks will show how successful this pilot project in the Baltic Sea is. It is hoped that the recovery will not only contribute to the safety of the marine environment, but also to the creation of a sustainable industry that could have international significance. With the right measures and technologies, the challenges of munitions pollution in the oceans could soon be a thing of the past.