Wreck Removal

In many cases, wrecks must be removed if they pose a threat to safe navigation or obstruct access to a port or port facilities.

Sunken or grounded vessels with hazardous cargo on board may, in any case, need re-floating in order to recover such cargo.

Wreck removal focuses on the removal of hazardous or unsightly wrecks that have little or no salvage value. Because the objectives here are not to save the vessel, the wrecks are usually re-floated or removed by the cheapest and most practical method possible. In many cases, hazardous materials must be removed prior to disposing of the wreck.

The most common techniques used in wreck removal are cutting the hull into easily handled sections or re-floating the vessel and scuttling it in deeper waters.