Domarin in action for underwater explosive ordnance disposal
June 12, 2024 | Isabella Mittermair
An aerial photo analysis to investigate possible explosive ordnance in the Danube in the Straubing-Deggendorf section from 2020 confirmed that explosive ordnance was disposed of in the Danube at the end of the Second World War or left behind after the end of the war. In order to continue the Danube expansion, it is essential to clear these war relics in the immediate vicinity of the railway crossing near Bogen to ensure occupational safety.
Hydraulic engineering and divers in action
WIGES, the hydraulic engineering infrastructure company, is responsible for realising the Danube expansion for the Federal Republic of Germany and the Bavarian state government and is therefore the client for the operation. In co-operation with Felbermayr, the hydraulic engineering company Domarin from Osterhofen is providing the infrastructure such as ships and excavators for the Lutomsky explosive ordnance disposal service. Together, the popular shipping route is to be cleared of dangerous and environmentally harmful explosive ordnance at depths of up to four metres over a period of several months.
Clearance of the suspected points with 120-tonne dredger from Domarin
Experienced hydraulic engineering experts from Domarin planned and coordinated the operation on and in the Danube in collaboration with the experts for underwater sounding. Domarin provided two ships with pontoons and barges for the recovery period. Two excavators with operating weights of 30 to 120 tonnes with equipment operators are deployed on each of the two ships. The starting point for explosive ordnance clearance in 2024 is large-scale explosive ordnance detection using geomagnetic surface sounding methods and digital data recording. The data obtained provides precise information on the location of the suspected explosive ordnance. This site plan is used by both excavator operators and divers to orientate the suspected sites.
As site manager at Domarin, Bernhard Faltl is heavily involved in the operation. "Depending on the suspected explosive ordnance, either the 120-tonne excavator is deployed and lifts the find out of the water or a diver inspects the explosive ordnance manually under water and assesses the potential danger," says the site manager about the salvage work process.
Divers examine objects up to 4 metres below the river bed
The divers from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Service inspect the suspected objects in the Danube up to a depth of four metres below the river bed. Due to the current, the divers have to dive in the shadow of a diving sign several metres wide in the Danube's navigation channel. Behind the shield, the diver has the appropriate underwater conditions to carry out his dangerous work. "First and foremost is the safety of the men on the floating units and underwater. In addition, we are working in an area with heavy shipping traffic, which has to be partially closed off during the salvage operation. The time pressure is correspondingly high. This makes it all the more remarkable how the teamwork on the boat goes hand in hand," adds Faltl.
More than 500 war relics at the bottom of the Danube
Over the recovery period, more than 500 war relics and parts thereof are expected to be recovered from the Danube. From ammunition to parts of explosive devices caused by explosions and detonations, but also scrap metal and rubbish. Bombs that need to be defused have also been found. If the recovered items are classified as dangerous by the experts, they are secured as quickly as possible by authorised bodies and legally handed over to the authorities, as required by law.
Project success requires perfect coordination
Faltl comments on the particular challenges of the operation in Straubing: "This project challenged us and our partners in many ways. The overall coordination on the boats between the equipment operators, divers and operations managers, captains and the authorities is crucial for safety on the boat and for the success of the project. The recovery of more than 500 individual parts, some of them highly dangerous, in just a few months reflects the perfect cooperation."
