Pro-bono work

As well as our self-financed marine archaeology projects, we sometimes help people with unique ideas, which cannot be realized due to insufficient funding. We do not supply funding, but given the nature of our work commitments, we often have short periods of idle ship time between projects.

Hence, when we come across a project were we think we can make a difference; we can offer some of the work pro-bono by supplying vessels, equipment and personnel at low costs or free of charge. The work will then be commenced and carried out when we have idle time between contracts.

Among the projects we have participated in on a pro-bono basis are:

Sinking of 40-ton Leopard Tank
We were approached by the people behind Salling Aqua Park, who had got the idea of placing a 40-ton Leopard tank within their park for recreational divers. The tank had been long worn out by its military service - including service in Afghanistan. We helped lowering the tank into the Limfjorden. Only after it had been cleaned thoroughly of diesel etc.
In addition to the tank the park also consist of an artificial cave, which we also placed on the sea bottom, and an old minesweeper.

Salvage of The Night Fighter Heinkel HE-219 from WWII
In 2012, we recovered the remains of an extremely rare fighter plane from the Second World War at Uggerby near Hirtshals. The plane was a unique German design and only a very few were produced. After identifying the type of plane, The Danish Plane Historical Society had a keen interest in recovering the remains of the wreck and preserve it. However, since no funding was available we offered to salvage the plane, when we had idle capacity in between jobs. The recovered plane will be on display at the garrison Museum in Aalborg.

Sinking of the 54 years old former automotive and rail ferry Ærøsund II
We were approached by the people behind Naturturisme I/S to help sink the ferry. This was the first time such a large ship was intentionally sunk to become an artificial reef. Many alterations were made before sinking it, to provide easier access for divers and make it more environmentally friendly. JD-Contractor A/S sunk the vessel for Naturturisme I/S and the ferry has now become an artificial reef for the benefit of fishers and scuba divers in the waters off Svendborg Sound in Denmark. The artificial 55 m long reef is expected to attract fish and sea animals and to serve as a destination for scuba divers.