While last year investigators of the Estonian Safety Investigation Bureau thought that damage to the starboard hull of MS Estonia runs for 22 meters, it has now been revealed that it measures over 40 meters in length. More oil is also leaking from the wreck.
The Estonian Safety Investigation Bureau (OJK) and the Swedish Accident Investigation Authority (SHK) carried out a photogrammetric study of the hull of the sunken passenger ferry MS Estonia between June 7-16.
OJK head, Captain Rene Arikas, said that hull deformation is far more extensive than the crew found last year.
“If preliminary studies last year suggested the tear on the starboard side was four meters high and 22 meters long, we have now learned it measures at least six meters in height and runs along for 40 meters, or longer even,” Arikas told ERR.
“The hull is deformed there, with holes, cracks, crumpling, and the outside plating of the ship being pressed inward. Because the damage continues under the hull, we cannot see its full extent, but it is visible along ca 40 meters.”
Investigators found the damage near the top of the 155-meter ferry’s sixth deck, while, this time, deformation was also observed on deck seven. For example, there is damage to the boat davits.
The damage on the starboard stern side runs along the entire stern deck from deck six to decks seven and eight.
There are no surprises on the bow side. The bow ramp is still lying on the seafloor in the same position, partially resting on the hull.
Arikas said that photogrammetry provides a very detailed 3D image of the wreck. “We can see both major deformation and injuries just a few millimeters across very clearly that we were previously unable to detect using sonar.”
The crew also discovered that oil leaks have become more extensive since last year. “The camera showed tiny oil bubbles rising to the surface.” The investigators also discovered a new leak in the hull.
VES / ERR News
