Decontamination

After successful negotiation of the rights to the wreck, the best possible decontamination of the wreck is planned and implemented, if necessary (usually the case). Depending on the type of environmental threat, this can range from a “simple” extraction of (heavy) oil to a highly complicated, dangerous and cost-intensive recovery of explosives or other toxic substances.

 

Conservation, Surveying and Dive Site Equipment

In a preliminary final step, the wreck will be conserved, surveyed and protected according to the principles of the Convention for the Protection of Cultural Heritage under Water² and historical criteria. Wrecks at suitable depths will be established as dive sites. This includes the installation of a descent or mooring line to avoid damage to the wreck and/or the seabed caused by anchors. Besides, if necessary also the securing of the wreck. Depending on its classification it means – for example – welding hatches to prevent penetration into the wreck, or the exact opposite, namely the permanent opening of the wreck to create secure exits. Finally, all information relevant for safe diving, such as dive site description, maximum depth, risks, emergency plans, training levels, and other minimum requirements are transferred to the wreck database.

Wreck database

In our wreck database, we record all potentially dangerous shipwrecks worldwide. The results of the research carried out in advance are compared with other similar databases. Localized wrecks are continuously updated and their investigation results, conservation, and decontamination status recorded. At the same time, the currently valid conditions for individual divers are announced.

Footnotes

¹ State under whose flag a ship sails or sailed

² notwithstanding their inapplicability to warship wrecks and wrecks which sank less than 100 years ago