Finland – Diving services – Oil removal from the fuel tanks of the wreck of the Finnish coastal defence ship Ilmarinen

According to Section 21 of the Environmental Protection Act (963/2022), the Finnish Environment Institute (Syke) is responsible for monitoring and cleaning up wrecks that pose a risk of environmental damage. The condition of the wrecks is monitored, and the sites for oil removal are selected according to a risk assessment based on surveys and monitoring data. A maximum of 2 million euros has been allocated for the salvage work of the wreck of the coastal defence ship Ilmarinen. In the future, funding for the salvage of individual wrecks will be applied separately from the state budget when the matter becomes relevant. The coastal defence ship Ilmarinen sank in 1941 after hitting a mine. The wreck of Ilmarinen is in the northern Baltic Sea, in Finland’s exclusive economic zone, about 40 km southwest of the island of Utö. The highest point of the wreck is at a depth of 63 metres, and the deepest point on the seabed is at 77 metres. About 70 metres of the ship is visible above the seabed as the wreck has sunk several metres into clay from the stern side. The vessel lies tilted with the bottom facing up so that the fuel tanks can be accessed directly through the bottom. The wreck's tanks are estimated to hold 100,000 litres of light fuel oil. Torpedoes or mines have not been found in or around the wreck. However, their existence cannot be completely ruled out, and therefore safety issues must be carefully ensured during the work. There are artillery shells inside the hull, and the wreck is also a grave of 271 naval soldiers. The deceased naval soldiers are in spaces inside the wreck that will not affect the work. It is forbidden to enter the wreck, and other parts than the tanks are not allowed to be disturbed. A pre-salvage survey has been carried out on the wreck of Ilmarinen. Structural drawings and footage of the vessel are available and will be provided to the Service Provider for the duration of the project. Similarly, a 3D model of the wreck has been created, which can be used to estimate the cost of the work and to plan the work itself. The pre-salvage survey report and the 3D model are available to participants as attachments. The work required from the Service Provider is to carry out the emptying of the fuel tanks during the year 2024. Syke must be informed of the start of the work and the stages of the work. The work must be carried out from start to finish without any assistance from the Finnish authorities and done in accordance with possible later instructions given by Syke or other Finnish authorities, such as the Finnish Defence Forces or the Finnish Heritage Agency. In the work, it must be taken into account that the wreck being operated on is also a grave for naval soldiers. The Service Provider is responsible for ensuring that their activities do not cause damage to the environment. The Service Provider is liable for any damage caused by the Service Provider and must be prepared to deal with any oil spill that may occur during the work. The Service Provider is required to have liability insurance with coverage of 5 million euros. During the Service Provider’s tasks, it is necessary to adhere to the legal occupational safety regulations, and all individuals involved in the work must have the required training and be insured. The vessel conducting the salvage must inform the authorities monitoring maritime traffic about its movements and the commencement of work during the operation. The client’s representative must have the opportunity to visit the operating vessels during the course of the work. The Service Provider is responsible for delivering the removed oil for further treatment and covering any associated costs. In Finland, waste oils are accepted by Fortum in Riihimäki. After the operation, the Service Provider must demonstrate that the wreck's tanks have been emptied. The Service Provider must submit a report on the work done to Syke. The report must include all the steps taken and the material described in the work. Additionally, the report must include documentation that no detectable quantities of oil have entered the water during the operation. An amount exceeding a minor oil spill constitutes a breach of contract and entitles to a deduction in compensation. If oil does enter the water, the report shall document the amount of oil released. Furthermore, a status report must be submitted to Syke every 12 hours at 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Finnish time during the work. All material shared by Syke or produced in course of action is confidential and may not be distributed or redistributed. All material will be given to Syke after completing the work. Tender participants must submit a Salvage Plan as an attachment. The document must describe how the wreck will be emptied, including a description of the main methods, the equipment to be used and the number and type of vessels and barges to be employed. For underwater operations, the methods should also be described (e.g., use of ROV and/or divers). The Salvage Plan must also include an environmental management and security plan, where the Service Provider must describe the steps that will be taken to prevent oil spills and other environmental damage, as well as how safety issues will be addressed. The Salvage Plan must describe how the Service Provider will ensure that only the tanks and not other parts of the wreck are operated upon. The offer should also include the estimated timetable and duration of the operation and a description of the Service Provider's insurance. Additionally, the Service Provider must indicate in the plan how and where the waste oil will be delivered for further treatment, including a description of the transport chain. Moreover, the Salvage Plan must include a description of how the Service Provider will demonstrate that the tanks are empty of oil.