The Baltwreck Project - Research Cruise

The voyage of the research vessel RV ALKOR began in Kiel on March 14. The expedition aims to investigate shipwrecks in the Baltic Sea for environmental hazards, primarily fuel leaks and substances from munitions.

Yesterday, the vessel called at the port of Klaipėda, where a meeting was held on board with representatives of Lithuanian institutions involved in marine environmental protection. It was an opportunity to present the project’s objectives, the scope of the research being conducted, and to exchange experiences

As part of the voyage, detailed work is being conducted, including seabed mapping, the use of underwater vehicles (AUVs and ROVs), as well as the collection of water, sediment, and marine organism samples. Some of the analyses are performed on board in real time, allowing for the rapid determination of the extent of contamination.

In the subsequent stages of the expedition, surveys of additional wrecks in the waters of Poland and Lithuania are planned, including those containing fuel and hazardous materials. The collected data will be used to assess environmental risks and support the development of effective methods for monitoring and managing such wrecks in the Baltic Sea region.