On Sunday, November 17, the Gdańsk-based company Albatros published video footage of the operation to recover the sunken Eberswalde crane from the bottom of the Baltic Sea. The operation itself was carried out in May 2023 and was recorded by a drone camera. Previously, we reported on the recovery of the former submarine ex-ORP Kondor (Albatros Company Recovers Former Submarine Kondor).
Photos: Albatros
In the fall of 2022, near Karwia/Dębki, a port crane sank in the shipping channel. The impact with the seabed at a depth of 23 meters caused extensive structural damage. Due to its size, the crane posed a potential hazard to navigation for vessels with significant draft.
A site inspection was conducted by an experienced diver and camera operator, who documented the crane’s position and all details regarding its current condition. This was accompanied by underwater assessments by chief engineer Przemysław Ulatowski, owner of the Gdańsk-based company Albatros, who examined the possibilities for mounting points, steel thickness, and the stability of existing connections.
Following the inspection, technical documentation, weight calculations, dimensions, centers of gravity, and other engineering preparations were initiated. The result was a detailed step-by-step plan divided into stages, accounting for various factors and describing each action with precision. The operation was carried out in consultation with the Maritime Office in Gdynia and in agreement with the Deputy Director regarding the scope of necessary work.
The entire operation was divided into several stages:
- Stage 1 – Reconnaissance
- Stage 2 – On-site preparation
- Stage 3 – Recovery
- Stage 4 – Post-operation documentation
The diving work during the recovery was coordinated by Łukasz Zorn — Anchor Diving. The main part of the operation was conducted from the deck of the floating crane Maja and auxiliary vessels. The entire operation lasted nearly 48 hours.