About ten kilometers east of Oxelösund, the tanker Lindesnäs lies at a depth of 70 meters. She has been there since 1957 and is an acute environmental hazard.

- Lindesnäs is almost at the top of the list of the most environmentally hazardous wrecks along the Swedish coast. When we did an investigation of the wreck earlier this spring, it looks like the wreck is completely even though it has been on the seabed for over 60 years, and everything indicates that there is oil left, says Fredrik Lindgren, investigator at the marine environment management unit at The sea and water authority.

May cause major consequences

When the ship sank, there were 1,700 cubic meters of aircraft kerosene on board and an unknown amount of diesel, according to Lindgren. By making different forecasts, it has been concluded that the oil could end up in the Natura 2000 areas Bråviken and Hävringe-Källskären.

- If all that oil leaked at the same time, it would have a big impact on these areas.

Bråviken includes about a hundred islands and islets that have a rich animal and plant life both on land and water.

- It would have a major negative impact for a few years, I would guess, direct lethal effects and long-term effects such as impaired immune system in organisms.

Drill holes in the tank

How is the work going?

- A working vessel that is 72 meters long and 14 meters wide comes there and anchors over the wreckage. Then they go down to the wreck and drill, in a safe environment, small holes in the tanks to see which contain oil. When you discover the oil, you drill larger holes and put on taps and hoses that go up to the working vessel and pump up all the oil.

The holes are then plugged again and the oil is distilled.

- There are up to 20 people on board, it's a lot of work. The wreck lies deep so it is very difficult.

The work is estimated to cost around SEK 21 million.