Sunk Frigates Pose Risk to Fishing Grounds

In September, the Norwegian Navy intentionally sunk two frigates – KNM Bergen adn KNM Trondheim – during the NATO exercise “Ægir” off Andøya in northern Norway. The frigates, no longer in active service, were decommissioned using a Quicksink bomb dropped by a B-2 bomber on KNM Bergen and a torpedo on KNM Trondheim.

However, the sinking of KNM Bergen has raised concerns as it now rests near a frequently used fishing ground, at a depth of 125 meters.

Dag Ivar Knutsen, a skipper from Øksnes, expressed his worry, stating, “They have managed to sink the ship in a fishing field that is widely used by many fishermen. I have personally caught several hundred tonnes of fish in the area. With the frigate at the bottom, it will pose a great risk to fish there, as you can destroy equipment.”

Knutsen regularly fishes in the area between January and April. The fishing newspaper Coast and Fjord initially informed him of the shipwreck’s location.

“I problably said something like ‘no, no, no, it’s not possible’,” Knutsen recalled upon learning the news.

Frigate Sinking to be Discussed in Parliament

the sinking of the Norwegian frigate KNM Trondheim has prompted a response from lawmakers,with the incident now set to be discussed in the Storting (norwegian Parliament),according to Coast and fjord.

The KNM Trondheim sank northwest of Senja at a depth of 2,200 metres.Authorities have confirmed that the wreck does not pose a danger to fishing vessels in the area.

Vessel Intentionally sunk During Joint Military Exercise

The recent sinking of a vessel was a coordinated effort involving multiple units from the Navy, Air Force, and U.S.counterparts, according to reports.

The incident occurred as part of the Quicksink program, a U.S. initiative dedicated to evaluating and refining precision weapons systems against maritime targets.

The primary goal was to gather precise measurement data. To achieve this, the target vessel needed to remain completely stationary, allowing the weapons manufacturer to obtain accurate positioning information. Reliable results and controlled measurements were essential, explains a spokesperson.

Officials state they were aware the area is used for fishing and proactively engaged in discussions with the State Administrator and the Directorate of Fisheries to minimize disruption.