Ghost ship graveyard” in Rio’s Guanabara Bay is cleaned up

Since the discovery of Rio’s Guanabara Bay in 1502 by Portuguese explorer Gaspar de Lemos, hundreds of vessels have sunk within its confines.

These sunken ships recently started impeding navigation, prompting a cleanup initiative spearheaded by the PortosRio port authority in collaboration with various state government agencies.

Based on a report from the Port Authority, 51 abandoned vessels, some left for over five years, were identified for removal.

The removal process, commencing on May 17th, involves extracting a ship submerged for over a decade, which typically takes around five days. The recovered wreckage is then redirected for material reuse.

By June 29th, the next phase was initiated near Ilha da Conceição in Niterói, extracting five medium-sized wooden vessels, the largest spanning 28 meters.

These boats obstructed fishing vessels, limiting docking space and increasing wait times for fishermen.

“These ships pose a risk during maneuvers and reduce the docking area,” noted Hugo Leal, State Secretary of Energy and Maritime Economy.

Environmentally, the sunken vessels contribute to Guanabara Bay’s pollution.

“There’s potential release of oil, fuel, and other contaminants,” remarked ecologist Mario Moscatelli.

Past oil spills were hard to trace, resulting in no penalties. However, it’s hoped that the vessel removal will improve environmental conditions.

Niterói’s Economic Development Department states that salvaged wood undergoes processing at a waste treatment center.

The extraction utilizes divers, cranes, and containment barriers.

“Our goal is to revitalize Guanabara Bay, promoting a healthier environment, boosting the economy, and tourism,” declared Álvaro Sávio, PortosRio’s president.

Previously dubbed a floating graveyard due to its crewless ‘ghost ships’, Guanabara Bay has witnessed accidents like the drifting vessel colliding with the Rio-Niterói Bridge last November.

Experts argue that decaying and rusting vessels disrupt fishing and navigation.

Added to this challenge are nautical debris, urban waste, sewage, and potential chemical leaks, posing threats in the bay home to 35 rivers and 53 beaches.

With information from Estadão Conteúdo

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