Toxic Waste Discovery: "Spring Spaghetti" found in the "Mach Mikado" area
The federal government's immediate programme has allocated around 70 million euros for a project aimed at removing old ammunition from the Baltic Sea. Led by the company Seascape, the initiative has already yielded significant results since its commencement on August 8.
Holger Hesse, a representative from Seascape, reported that several tons of old ammunition have been recovered so far. Divers have been instrumental in this recovery, with Dirk Schoene, a 60-year-old diver since 1986, playing a key role. In February, Schoene recovered a grenade, 12.8 centimeters in diameter, with the label number "0158," from a depth of nine meters.
The ammunition, believed to have been sunk in 1946 with a scow in the Wismar Bay, is partly embedded in thick layers of mud and sediment. Experts are concerned about the potential release of the toxic explosive TNT into the water.
The recovered ammunition is stored underwater in special containers until the necessary permits for bringing it to land for disposal are in place. Once these permits are secured, the ammunition will be transported to Munster, Lower Saxony, for disposal.
The tender for the platform to enable disposal at sea is currently underway, with numerous bidders. The contract for the platform is expected to be awarded in the first quarter of 2026, with completion by 2027.
In addition to munitions, divers have uncovered various items such as steel helmets, gas masks, and Enfield carbines during the recovery process. Most of the explosive devices lie next to the scow, which is on its back.
The recovery operation is part of a pilot project that began on August 8 and aims to remove old ammunition from the Baltic Sea. The ammunition being recovered is mostly grenades, including large ones with a diameter of 12.8 centimeters.
However, the search results do not provide information about which company received the contract for recovering munitions in the Boltenhagen sea area or owns the "Baltic Lift" platform. The authorities are closely monitoring the project to ensure its success and the safety of those involved.
