Prerow/Schwerin (dpa/mv) – On the beach of the Baltic Sea resort of Prerow (Vorpommern-Rügen district), the salvage work for the 95-meter-long workboat stranded there has begun. As Environment Minister Till Backhaus (SPD) announced on Thursday, dredgers should first uncover the unpowered cargo ship. Then it should be pulled into deeper water with the help of tugboats. According to Backhaus, construction equipment is used that was already on site for the construction of the island port in Prerow.
The salvage concept was drawn up at short notice by the owner of the transport pontoon in consultation with the insurance company and construction companies of the Inselhafen Prerow working group. The competent authorities had agreed to this. The minister emphasized that the stranded pontoon does not pose a threat to the environment. He expressed confidence “that the pontoon will soon be used again to deliver building materials for the island port”.
According to the water police, the ship broke free in the storm on Saturday and then drifted into shallow water and ran aground. The watercraft, also known as a barge, has so far been used primarily for the transport of natural stones from Scandinavia to North Darß. An island port is currently being built near Prerow, which will offer sailors protection in the event of a storm and will also be the berth for a sea rescue cruiser.
