The Serbian government has launched a landmark operation to clear the Danube River near Prahovo by removing sunken German warships from WWII. Marine Research Ltd. has taken on the project to help improve navigation safety and aid European inland waterway transport.
The Government of the Republic of Serbia initiated this project to sustain the river network, a vital transport corridor across Europe. The initiative requires locating 21 shipwrecks while implementing their recovery and secure removal since they present major navigation threats during periods of low water.
The advanced positioning and sonar technology from
Teledyne RESON proved essential for mapping and surveying underwater hazards in the difficult stretch between the Iron Gate II navigational lock and the Port of Prahovo.
High-Precision Sonar Surveying needed
As part of this ambitious project, Marine Research Ltd., a service company whose activity spans various fields of marine and related sciences, used
Teledyne RESON’s state-of-the-art sonar systems to map and assess shipwrecks accurately.
The project's 600 potential unexploded ordnance (UXO) targets made precision essential. With the Teledyne RESON
SeaBat T51 Multibeam Sonar the project teams were able to get detailed underwater images and bathymetric datasets -critical data that ensured that the vessel removal operations were planned and executed safely.
The Project teams created accurate three-dimensional representations of wreckage sites and the adjacent riverbed areas. The high-resolution imaging and bathymetric data allowed the team to:
- Identify and classify UXO targets before excavation.
- Modify navigation channels so that they efficiently support inland waterway transportation.
- Generate precise 3D models of the wrecks and surrounding riverbeds.
In addition, the
PDS software delivered real-time data acquisition and processing, which improved the decision-making abilities of the consortium managing the project.
Enhancing Maritime Safety and Navigation Efficiency
The project aims to make safe vessel navigation possible along the Danube by removing shipwreck blockages that limit the navigation channel to less than 100 meters. The Marine Research team collected accurate data to assist in eliminating dangerous wreckage, which contributes to Serbia’s widespread infrastructure and economic development.
"Utilizing Teledyne RESON’s advanced sonar technology allowed us to capture unprecedented detail of the WWII shipwrecks buried in the Danube. The high-resolution imaging and precise bathymetric data were essential in identifying hazards and ensuring a safe and efficient recovery process. This project is not just about uncovering history—it’s about making the river safer for navigation and securing the future of European inland waterways."—
Mihai Dragomir, IHO/FIG/ICA Cat: B Hydrographic surveyor & Commercial Director, Marine Research Ltd.
The Danube River project focuses on decreasing unexploded ordnance risks by combining sonar technology with UXO detection methods, which is crucial because of the region's military background.
Keeping the waterways safe
The extraction of WWII German fleet debris from the Danube River marks substantial progress in improving transport and safety for European inland waterways.
The
advanced sonar technology used in this project was crucial for the Marine Research team in accurately mapping and evaluating underwater dangers while maintaining precision and operational safety throughout the project. Through high-resolution multibeam sonar imaging combined with accurate positioning systems and
advanced data processing software, Teledyne RESON has proven its expertise in hydrographic and maritime surveys by improving the safety and navigability of waterways.
About Marine Research Ltd.
Marine Research Ltd. is a service company whose activity spans in various fields of marine and related sciences: marine geology and geophysics, hydro- and geochemistry, hydrology, marine biology and ecology, marine protected areas, coastal management, cartography and GIS. Read more here. (linker til nedenstående)
Marine Research Ltd.🡥
