Ocean Discovery is currently investigating three environmentally hazardous wrecks for the Swedish Maritime and Water Authority. There are approximately 17,000 shipwrecks along Sweden's coasts, 300 of which have been classified as environmentally hazardous and the Swedish Maritime and Water Authority is responsible for documenting and sanitizing them. Since 2018, Ocean Discovery has been engaged to examine all of the agency's procured wreckage documentation. The 3D scanning technology developed by Ocean Discovery has proven very valuable for mapping, assessment and planning for remediation.

The wrecks nynäs, Harburg and Mundogas are currently being examined. The chemical tanker Mundogas is probably the most acutely environmentally hazardous and preliminary results show a wreck in severely damaged condition that also leaks oil actively around the clock. In addition to oil, the ship was loaded with over 2,000 tons of ammonia in loose tanks when it went to the bottom at a depth of 60 meters after a collision in 1966. The entire wreck and the position and condition of the tanks are currently being mapped using 3D technology. The ship's broken down condition with torn rails, countless pipes belonging to tanks and previous salvage attempts with leftover hoses and hawsers have made the work considerably more difficult. Fortunately, the remotely operated underwater vehicle is equipped with cutting tools and it has literally had to cut its way through countless obstacles to get close to the wreckage. So far, 30,000 images have been collected and the wreck is already the most extensive 3D scanning project the company has carried out. Work is progressing and is expected to be completed within a few weeks.

Read more about Ocean Discovery 3D scanning technology here