The Vina: Crew Feedback and Vessel Data

On March 4, 2020, a remarkable underwater discovery was made by divers from the Danish company JD-Contractor, based in Holstebro. They successfully located the wreckage of the Dutch submarine 'L10', which had vanished during World War I, situated approximately 90 miles north of Terchelleng island. The 'L10', which met its fate after sinking a German torpedo boat that was itself engaged in rescue operations for another German vessel, holds the distinction of being the only submarine in the L-series to have been lost during the war. Most other L-class submarines were dismantled years ago. The tragedy claimed the lives of 38 crew members aboard, and the discovery brings closure to some relatives and descendants who are now aware of the submarine's final resting place. Gert Normann Andersen and his dedicated team began their mission aboard the vessel 'Vina' on March 3, aiming to uncover the mysteries of not only the 'L10' but also two other renowned lost submarines—the Polish submarine 'Orzel' and the Dutch submarine 'O 13'. According to Andersen, these submarines are among the most sought-after wrecks in maritime history. The expedition is set to continue until March 8, furthering the quest to illuminate the stories hidden beneath the waves.

On March 4, 2020, the vessel 'Vina' embarked from Thyborøn, heading into the North Sea to undertake an ambitious mission: locating the elusive Polish submarine 'Orzel' and the Dutch submarine 'O 13', both of which vanished during World War II. This search has become increasingly significant as these submarines are among the most sought-after lost vessels globally. The expedition is led by Gert Normann Andersen, owner of JD-Contractor, who has a remarkable track record, having previously discovered 36 submarines in the North Sea. This expedition marks a notable milestone, featuring 26 crew members, including a photographer and a journalist from TV2/Mid-West. Additionally, eight experts from the Polish project SANTI Odnalezc Orla, which has successfully conducted six prior expeditions to find the 'Orzel', have joined the mission. A comprehensive report, complete with video footage, is available on Maritime Denmark: https://maritimedanmark.dk/?Id=43063

On August 23, 2019, the vessel "Vina" set sail from Copenhagen to the site of the sunken tanker "Lindesnäs," located off the coast of Oxelösund. The response team has strategically placed buoys around the wreckage to ensure the ongoing operation is secure from unauthorized interference. Underwater resources have been deployed to assess the wreck, pinpointing suitable locations for attaching hoses to facilitate the fuel extraction process. The "Lindesnäs" is among 30 shipwrecks identified along Sweden's coastline as posing significant environmental threats, according to the Swedish Sea and Water Authority. This tanker disappeared 62 years ago while navigating near the Norra Kränkan lighthouse during a journey from Nynäshamn to Norrköping, carrying a payload of 1,700 cubic meters of aircraft kerosene. On April 17, 2019, it went off course amidst severe snow and rain, ultimately becoming stranded at 4 a.m. One hour later, the ship succumbed to the depths at a location where the water reaches 70 meters. Fortunately, all 20 crew members were rescued, and only minor oil leakage occurred during the sinking. The operation to safely remove the oil is projected to last approximately one month, with an estimated cost of SEK 21 million for the entire process. For more details, refer to the Swedish report with accompanying photographs: https://www.sn.se/nyheter/oxelosund/sa-ska-vraket-tommas-pa-olja-sm5218234.aspx.