Working Conditions Aboard the Fns-Louhi-999

In a significant environmental operation, the Finnish Environment Institute and Finnish Navy successfully extracted oil from the wreck of the coastal defense vessel 'Ilmarinen' between July 14 and July 24, 2026. Assisting in the effort were the Finnish Border Guard, equipped for environmental response, alongside the Diving Medical Center. Over the two-week endeavor, teams managed to recover around 60,000 liters of oil from the ship's fuel tanks. However, due to adverse sea conditions, some interruptions occurred, preventing the complete emptying of the wreck. The 'Ilmarinen' sank off the coast of Utö during World War II and poses a continuing environmental threat in the Baltic Sea, as the total estimated amount of oil within its tanks is about 100,000 liters. The successful removal operation commenced in mid-July, primarily targeting the tanks located on the bow side of the ship at depths of 60 to 80 meters. Although not all oil was recovered, the effort significantly reduced the risk of a severe environmental incident due to a potential collapse of the ship’s bow. For more details and images, visit the official report: https://valtioneuvosto.fi/en/-/1410903/60-000-litres-of-oil-removed-from-wreck-of-coastal-defence-ship-ilmarinen.