Several thousand objects were discovered in the course of the exploratory work carried out in 2023. These were mainly scrap metal and wreckage. However, experts were also able to identify 200 suspected cases of ammunition. They are believed to come from unspent coastal artillery and anti-aircraft defence stocks that were disposed of in the sea after the end of the war - as in many other places in the North Sea and Baltic Sea.
This case is particularly explosive as the finds are located near the shipping channel and therefore in an area that has to be dredged continuously. Since the discovery of the munitions, only so-called water injection dredgers could therefore be used, which only smooth the ground and do not suck up any objects.
The area: the Outer Elbe north-west of Cuxhaven
This affects the section between buoys "21" and "29", i.e. coming from seaward on the starboard side, north-west of Cuxhaven and west of the island of Neuwerk. The work is being carried out by the special vessel "Aquarius G", an almost 70 metre long offshore support vessel (OSV) flying the Panamanian flag.
The responsible Elbe-North Sea Waterways and Shipping Authority states in its Notice to mariners 108/24 The "Aquarius G" must be kept at a safe distance of at least 100 metres from all passing vehicles. If divers are in the water, the safety distance is increased to 200 metres.
For the coordination of the passages, there will be radar counselling during the working hours of the OSV, which will take place on the channels "Neuwerk Radar" VHF channel 05 or "Cuxhaven Radar" VHF channel 21. All passing vessels are requested to listen to the channel.
