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An-2 to be lifted from Baltic Sea by Dutch company

BC, Vilnius, 25.05.2015.Print version
A Dutch company will lift the sunken An-2 airplane from the bottom of the Baltic Sea, Lithuanian Transport and Communications Minister Rimantas Sinkevicius announced on Monday, reports LETA/ELTA.

According to the minister, state enterprise Oro Navigacija (Air Navigation), which was entrusted to organise the lifting of the aircraft, will sign an agreement with a Dutch company Mammoet. The company was selected as having vast experience in the field. It raised the sunken Russian submarine Kursk from 100 metre depth, carried out rescue work of Costa Concordia liner and lifted the wreckage of F-16 fighter jet.

 

When asked how much the lifting of the airplane would cost, the minister said it would depend on how long the work would last, on hourly rates, what equipment is lent, what experts would come and on their accommodation. It is planned that five specialists will come to Lithuania who will examine the sunken wreck. If it is decided to raise the ship, a Lithuanian vessel will be assisting the Dutch, a crane and other equipment will be installed on it. Based on preliminary information, inspection of the sunken aircraft could cost EUR 20,000-25,000. However if it is decided to lift the airplane, the cost could increase several times.

 

The minister implied that An-2 was not insured and owners of the airplane would not be seeking to lift the plane. It could be that only the bodies of the two pilots would be raised and not the wreckage. It is estimated that the value of the aircraft is lower than its salvaging cost.

 

Moreover, the Government might demand from the owner of the plane to cover the cost of salvaging operation.






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