Brazil Starts Sinking Old Warship Hazardous Material and All
Brazil vows to deep-sink old warship with hazardous cargo
Brazil recently announced that it has started the process of deep-sinking an old warship that contained hazardous materials. The country is doing this to keep the materials out of the marine environment, protect human health, and protect the marine ecosystem.
What materials are contained in the ship?
The ship contains the following materials that are hazardous to the environment and human health:
- Heavy metals, such as lead, mercury, and chromium
- Oil, including fuel, lubricants, and oilspill cleaner
- Asbestos, which can cause cancer and other diseases
- PCBs, which are known to cause reproductive problems
- Radioactive materials, such as uranium, cesium, and plutonium
How will the ship be sunk?
The ship will be sunk in a controlled manner in order to ensure that the hazardous materials will not be released into the marine environment. The process involves using a crane to lift the ship and lower it into the designated area of the ocean. The ship will then be filled with concrete and armor plates, which will help to keep it in place and prevent any leaks from occurring.
Conclusion
Brazil’s decision to deep-sink an old warship with hazardous cargo is commendable and it should send a message to the world that the country is taking the issue of environmental protection and human health seriously. This will help ensure the preservation of the marine environment and protect future generations.
Yesterday, Brazil stated that it had begun sinking an old warship, containing hazardous material and all.
The decommissioned training warship, called the Almirante Saldanha, was laid to rest in Brazilian coastal waters with the hope it will serve as an artificial reef and attract sea life. But first, concerned citizens and environmental activists called on the Brazilian government to ensure that the decaying ship did not spread hazardous materials into the ocean.
The costs of disposal, which includes the removal of asbestos, paint, lubricants, and other derelict materials, as well as the cost of towing the vessel to the desired location, have been estimated to stand at a total of 9 million reais (approximately 1.78 million US dollars).
The sinking of the ship is part of a partnership between the Brazilian Navy and the nonprofit organization Instituto Natureza do Todos. The vessel has been anchored in the northeast of Santos since the end of 2019, when the navy decided to start the process of decommissioning and disposal.
The organizations involved considered several alternatives—including dismantling the ship—before deciding to sink it. A condition to having it sunk was that all hazardous material be removed from the ship before it was placed in the ocean.
Specialized divers were called in to locate and remove the hazardous material before teams of divers sealed the ship with cement grouts to further ensure that the material was secured, and that no oil leakage would occur while the ship was submerged.
Now that all safety precautions have been taken, and the warship confirmed to be free of hazardous material, the project of sinking the vessel is underway. Once the ship is sunk and approximately 250 nautical meters off the coast of Santos, its infrastructure will become part of an underwater park with activities that bring education, science, and sport together.
As an artificial reef, the Almirante Saldanha will also act as a safe haven for various species of marine life, such as corals and colorful tropical fish. For the citizens of Santos, the ship will be a low-impact tourist destination for those looking for a glimpse of the wild ocean.