Action to neutralise a naval mine near Gdynia continues

This morning, Tuesday 16 June, at 8 a.m., an operation to neutralise a World War II naval mine began in Gdynia. During the whole operation sailing restrictions were introduced, as well as a ban on bathing and some streets were closed. The whole operation is scheduled to end at 15.00.

A dangerous find, a remnant of the turbulent history of the region, was discovered between the southern entrance to the Port of Gdynia and the Basen Żeglarski. The relevant services were immediately notified, and they began planning the neutralisation of the object and the danger it posed.

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As always in such cases, the best experts in the field, the Group of Miner Divers, as well as the crews of ORP Kormoran and ORP Flaming from the 13th minesweeper division of the 8th Coastal Defence Flotilla, went into action. At present, we know that operations are proceeding according to plan. The mine has been picked up and is now being towed into the waters of the Gulf of Gdansk, where it will be neutralised.

Neutralisation of a German naval mine in the Port of Gdynia area – update 15.06.2020

After checking the weather forecast, the Navy has confirmed today that the picking up, towing and neutralisation of a German GC mine on the approach to the Port of Gdynia will commence tomorrow, 16.06.2020 (Tuesday) at 08.00 hrs. (According to the assumption the action should last until about 3 p.m.

Operation of neutralization of a German naval mine in the area of Port of Gdynia – information on planned actions – 14.06.2020

Maritime Office in Gdynia informs that during the period between 15th – 19th June (alternative date 22nd – 26th June) from the area between the southern entrance to the Port of Gdynia and the Naval Basin there will be an excavation and neutralization of a naval mine. (alternative date 22-26 June), in the area between the south entrance to the Port of Gdynia and the Basen Żeglarski, an operation will be conducted to excavate and neutralise a World War II naval mine. The operation will be conducted by the Group of Divers of the 8th Coastal Defence Flotilla. The removal of the mine is necessary to maintain the safety of navigation in the area. The most probable date of the operation is 16.06.this year. – The final confirmation will take place on Monday, 15.06.this year.

For the duration of the works related to the precise operation of lifting the object above the bottom and towing it to the designated neutralisation area, specific safety zones and restrictions on navigation and an absolute ban on bathing (entering the water) will be in force.

Taking into account the explosive power of the mine, a safety zone with a radius of 10750 m from the point of destruction was defined, which includes the coastline in the section Rewa – Gdańsk Westerplatte (inclusive) and other safety zones as shown on the map below.

^{Map – Area of planned destruction and safety zones}

The exact day of the operation depends on weather conditions. The operation is coordinated by the Maritime Office in Gdynia in terms of actions at sea and the Pomeranian Voivodeship Office in terms of actions in the coastal zone. The direct executor of the undertaking is a specialised unit of the Navy from the 8th Coastal Defence Flotilla.

The mine was located in March of this year during a hydrographic survey of the approach basin to the Sailing Basin in the Port of Gdynia by employees of the Maritime Office in Gdynia. It is a non-contact German World War II naval mine. The length of the main body of the mine is about 180 cm and its diameter is 66 cm. The total weight of the mine is 987 kg. According to specialists from the Navy, the naval mine located by the Maritime Office in Gdynia has an explosive force of about 1000 TNT (TNT equivalent).

In the interest of safety, we appeal to you to observe the restrictions that will be in force on the day the mine is neutralised and to follow the instructions of the services involved in securing the course of the operation.

^{Bathymetric image of a hazardous underwater object obtained from hydrographic surveys of the Maritime Office in Gdynia taken on 11.03.2020.}

^{Bathymetric image of a hazardous underwater object obtained from hydrographic surveys of the Maritime Office in Gdynia taken on 11.03.2020.}

^{Source and Photo: umgdy.gov.p}l