The Norwegian Minister of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs, Helga Pedersen, announced in late January that the Norwegian government will propose to parliament that the 'U-864', a German submarine which sank in World War II, should be salvaged rather than left on the seabed and encased to ensure the safety of people and environment. If the Norwegian parliament approves this proposal then salvage firm Mammoet will recover the submarine which contains toxic mercury and explosives.
The proposal will be discussed in the Norwegian parliament in the near future. The salvage operation of the submarine will be undertaken in the summer of 2010. In the period leading up to that Mammoet will prepare dedicated equipment for the operation.
The German submarine 'U-864' was torpedoed by the British submarine HMS 'Venturer' on February 9, 1945. The 'U-864' sank about two nautical miles west of the island Fedje, just north of Bergen, with the loss of all 73 on board.
The submarine's cargo included approximately 67 tonnes of metallic mercury which is highly toxic. As the 'U-864' was on a mission it was also carrying a full load of weapons. The vessel's wreckage is considered to be a potential long-term threat to human health and the environment.