In principle, the Norwegian Maritime Administration has positions on the 300 environmentally hazardous wrecks.
– On the other hand, they can build on old information and then the positions are bad for some of them, says Ulf Olsson, head of sea surveying at the Swedish Maritime Administration.
The Swedish coastal waters cover approximately 165,000 square kilometers. So far, the Norwegian Maritime Administration has measured 76 percent of that area using modern methods. An extensive project that started approximately ten years ago and is expected to last until 2036.
30 wrecks acutely dangerous to the environment
As for the wrecks, 30 are deemed to be acutely dangerous to the environment. For example, it could be that they had large amounts of fuel or chemicals on board when they sank.
It is the Maritime and Water Authority that decides which wrecks are to be emptied of environmentally hazardous substances or salvage gas. The Swedish Maritime Administration’s measurements and data are then of great help.
Hear Ulf Olsson talk about the significance of the measurements in the clip above.