Cleans up garbage on the bottom of the sea

Text and photo: Sveinung W. Jensen, Tellus Kommunikasjon

- It would not be possible to carry out this clean-up without FFS, says Geir Smedbøle.

He is the leader of the association in Songvaar Lighthouse, which collaborates with Søgne Dykkerklubb on underwater cleaning of the Sørland coast.

Over 5,000 ghost tools have so far been retrieved from the seabed. For this work, the diving club was honored with a municipal environmental award last year.

FROM FRIDAY TO On Monday, the scavenger hunt was moved to Farsund. The event is organized by Henriette M. Skjæveland, who is the general manager of the Norwegian Lighthouse Association. The catch is unloaded at Torvet in Farsund. There it is shown until horror and warning.

- Some claim that it was only in the past that people lifted things into the sea, but that is not true. We have found a lot that has been thrown away quite recently - such as batteries, lawnmowers and wall-hung toilets, says Skjæveland, and shakes his head in frustration.

LIKE LAST YEAR, The clean-up effort coincides with Sea Monster Week at Farsund secondary school. Several students are on board the cleaning boats. Others pick up plastic and other rubbish along the beaches.

- This year we have searched in the area from the Nordsund Bridge to the Vestersiden, around Lyngholmen, outside Skjoldnes and around Lindholmen and Lamholmen, says Skjæveland.

BUT THE DIVERS also searched the harbor basin in Farsund, and found, among other things, 40 large decks.

- Without FFS Argo and the crane on board, we would never have got these tires ashore. We are so happy that we get help from FFS and Isak. He does a great job, says Skjæveland.

Skipper Isak himself thinks it's fun to be involved. FFS Argo is used as a base. When the small boats are loaded full, the rubbish is moved into the crane boat.

- It's great that we can clean it up. I think it is very important that we as a maritime company help, says Andreassen.