Estonia Wreck

Field Value
Wreck Category non-dangerous wreck
Estonia Wreck Location
Marine Coordinates (DMM) 		59 22.886 N,21 40.487 E
Latitude, Longitude
Decimal Degrees
  • Latitude: 59.381433
  • Longitude: 21.674783
Water Depth 55 m
Water Level Effect always under water/submerged
Vertical Datum Mean Sea Level
Name ESTONIA
Type ferry
Flag EE
Length 155.1 m
Width 24.1 m
Draught 5.5
Tonnage 15566
Tonnage Type gross
Conspic Visual not visually conspicuous
Conspic Radar not radar conspicuous
Date Sunk Sep 28, 1994
Bottom Texture Mud
Original Detection Year 1994
Last Detection Year 1995
Original Source Lloyd's and Marine Underwriter's reports
Surveying Details HH319/490/01 6.10.94 SANK IN 592300N, 214200E. (LL, 29.9.94). INS AS NDW PA. BR STD. HH319/490/01 7.10.94 WK LOCATED BY SONAR. LYING ON PORT SIDE, STERN IN 80MTRS, IN SOFT MUD. BOW DOOR LOCATED NEARBY. (LL, 3-4.10.94). NFA. 16.10.96 SHOWN IN 592250N, 214048E ON ESTONIAN 511. NE 2222. 15.8.02 LITHUANIA RATIFIED IN MID-JAN AN AGREEMENT, ALREADY SIGNED BY ESTONIA, FINLAND AND SWEDEN, THAT ENSURES VESSEL WILL NOT BE LIFTED, AND ANY ACTIVITIES IN THE AREA OF THE WK TO BE CONSIDERED AS CRIMINAL ACTIVITY. (NAUTICAL MAGAZINE, MAY'02) 6.12.05 SHOWN IN 5922.886N, 2140.487E [WGD] ON ESTONIAN 511 [MAR'95 EDN]. NE 2241.
Last Amended Date Apr 12, 2006

Circumstances of loss

TOOK WATER ON VEHICLE DECK AND LATER SANK AFTER LOSS OF OUTER BOW DOOR IN HEAVY WEATHER. 139 PASSENGERS AND CREW SURVIVED, 100 BODIES RECOVERED AND 810 PEOPLE ARE MISSING. 24.12.99 VESSEL MAY HAVE BEEN CARRYING SECRET WEAPONS STOLEN FROM A RUSSIAN NAVAL BASE TO BE SHIPPED TO THE USA VIA SWEDEN. A SERIES OF SMALL EXPLOSIONS MAY HAVE OCCURED IN AN ATTEMPT TO CAUSE THE VESSEL TO RETURN TO TALLINN AND THUS PREVENT THE SHIPMENT OF THE WEAPONS. THESE EXPLOSIONS CUT OFF THE STBD BOW DOOR HINGES. ATTEMPTS WERE MADE TO SECURE THE DOOR USING WIRES, WATER ENTERED THE SHIP. THE STBD STERN RAMP WAS OPEN TO ALLOW THE WATER TO LEAVE THE CAR DECK, THIS HAPPENED FREQUENTLY AS THE BOW DOOR WAS BADLY MAINTAINED AND LEAKED. THE OPERATOR FLED, LEAVING THE RAMP OPEN AND THE VESSEL TOOK WATER. THE SHIP WENT DOWN STERN FIRST, NOT AS WOULD HAVE BEEN EXPECTED IF THE WATER HAD ENTERED MAINLY THROUGHT THE BOW RAMP. (LL, 24.12.99).

General Comments

INTACT, ON PORT SIDE, BOW DOOR NEARBY

WRECK MAP LOADING ... 59 22.886 N,21 40.487 E
Estonia on Wreck Map Estonia Wreck on Google Map

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FAQ

Where is the ESTONIA wreck located?

The ESTONIA wreck is located at coordinates 59 22.886 N,21 40.487 E.

How deep is the seabed around the ESTONIA?

The seabed around the ESTONIA lies at approximately 55 meters deep.

When did the ESTONIA sink?

The ESTONIA sank on Sep 28, 1994.

When was the wreck of the ESTONIA discovered?

The wreck of the ESTONIA was discovered in 1994.

What country did the ESTONIA belong to?

The ESTONIA belonged to EE.

What was the tonnage of the ESTONIA?

The ESTONIA had a tonnage of 15566 tons.

What type of wreck is the ESTONIA?

The ESTONIA is classified as a ferry.

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