Logs from sunken barge drift towards Northern Satakunta after sinking near Rauma
Debris from a barge that sank off the coast of Rauma last week is now drifting as far as Northern Satakunta. Approximately 500 cubic meters of birch logs fell into the sea on Wednesday near the Rauma lighthouse. According to the commanding officer of the Pori Coast Guard, Petri Kippola, southern and western winds have carried the logs from Rauma to the archipelago near Pori, with some even reaching Merikarvia.
Last week, the Coast Guard estimated that the logs would continue drifting towards the islands of Luvia. “The wind has been strong enough over the past week that logs can drift considerable distances in just one day,” Kippola said. Over a week has passed since the incident, and logs have already been spotted even north of Pori. Some individual logs may continue to drift for years towards the Bothnian Sea and the Gulf of Bothnia due to ocean currents and winds.
Kippola noted that the fallen logs have not yet led to any maritime rescue missions by the Western Finland Coast Guard. “Knock on wood, and let’s hope it stays that way,” he added. He warned that the dark-colored logs are hard to spot in dark waters unless vessels are moving slowly. The logs, which measure 5-7 meters, can easily become submerged beneath waves.
The Coast Guard urges boaters to remain vigilant, as logs pose a severe risk. “If speeds are high, there is a risk that a log could come up from the bottom, potentially damaging a boat’s propeller or even causing it to lose the entire outboard motor,” Kippola emphasized.
The Coast Guard is not actively collecting the drifting logs, as it is not their top priority. Logs have been noted to have ended up on the shores of islands, with stacks seen on Iso-Enskeri island north of Pori. Kippola hopes to have as many logs as possible removed from the sea by the end of the year, as they pose safety risks due to rising sea levels and winds. It is understood that the owner of the logs has permitted their collection.