The Finnish Navy is spearheading a new phase of investigation into the sunken Ilmarinen shipwreck, a World War II coastal defense vessel, to prevent a looming environmental disaster. The operation, scheduled from August 12 to 18, aims to assess the wreck’s condition and plan the safe removal of its hazardous oil cargo, which poses a significant threat to the Baltic Sea.
Sunk in 1941 after hitting a mine in the northern Baltic Sea, the Ilmarinen sits 80 meters underwater, 40 kilometers south of Utö Island. The deteriorating structure and leaking oil tanks have sparked concerns among environmental authorities, prompting the Finnish Navy, Finnish Border Guard, and the Finnish Environment Institute to collaborate on this urgent mission.
The project involves detailed measurements, underwater images, and research dives to construct a model for oil extraction, planned for 2025. Despite challenges in securing a contractor, the Ministry of Environment is committed to removing the oil in-house to protect marine ecosystems, like the Archipelago National Park, at risk of contamination.
This crucial operation marks a significant step in safeguarding the Baltic Sea from a historic yet present danger, emphasizing the importance of preserving marine environments for future generations.
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