When a boat sinks, we usually see the headline, but not what happens next. And that’s where the challenge really begins: avoiding a greater environmental impact, managing hazardous waste and ensuring safe decontamination.
At Femevi, these types of situations are part of our daily routine, and we believe that sharing them helps companies and environmental managers to better understand the importance of acting quickly and with solid technical criteria.
This article is created to clearly explain how we approach a real case, the dismantling and decontamination of a boat sunk in Sant Feliu de Guíxols last October, and what lessons can also be applied to industry and any company that wants to manage its waste responsibly.
When a sunken boat becomes an environmental risk
In October, a boat was completely submerged in the port of Sant Feliu de Guíxols. The refloating was carried out by another specialized company, but once on the surface, our work began: remove the boat safely, decontaminate it and ensure proper management of all waste.
From Vilamalla we work throughout Catalonia, offering specialized solutions in:
- Boat dismantling
- Industrial cleaning
- Degassing, cleaning and decommissioning of tanks
- Cleaning of oil and grease separators
- Treatment of aqueous waste by evaporation and centrifugation
Why are we explaining this case?
Because it exactly reflects what happens in many industries: the problem does not appear when a waste exists, but when it is not managed in time or correctly.
The real challenge: what happens after an accident
At Femevi we apply a proven method that combines safety, efficiency and industrial sustainability. A sunken boat may seem like just a bulky waste, but it is much more:
- It may contain fuel remains
- It accumulates oils, greases and sludge
- It represents a real risk of marine pollution
- It implies administrative responsibilities
- It requires rigorous and traceable management
And this is comparable to what many industrial companies experience with:
- Obsolete tanks
- Tanks that must be decommissioned
- Saturated separators
- Contaminated machinery
- Complex wastewater
The risk is the same: if you do not act quickly and with an adequate procedure, the environmental and economic cost multiplies.
This is how we carry out the process: key steps for safe dismantling and decontamination
We share here our work process, which we apply both in boats and in industrial facilities.
- Initial technical evaluation:
We analyze the condition of the boat, the materials present and the waste adhered to it.
This allows us to define a safe and efficient work plan. - Preparation of the intervention area:
We establish a security perimeter and organize the space to avoid spills and minimize risks. Each environment, port, factory, deposit or tank; requires a specific approach. - Removal of hazardous waste:
We extract and segregate all polluting waste: fuels, oils, sludge and solids. - Deep cleaning and decontamination:
We carry out a technical cleaning to ensure that all materials are free of contamination. - Controlled dismantling of the structure:
We dismantle the boat safely and orderly, classifying each material for its corresponding recovery or treatment. We apply this same procedure to machinery, tanks and industrial equipment. - Complete document management:
We document all phases of the process: waste removed, traceability, treatment and final destination.
For our clients, this point is key for audits, inspections and regulatory compliance.
Real case: what we achieved in Sant Feliu de Guíxols
Thanks to our intervention:
- We avoided possible hydrocarbon leaks into the port
- We removed and managed all polluting waste
- We completely decontaminated the structure
- We dismantled the boat guaranteeing the maximum recovery of materials
- We closed the process with complete documentation and traceability
This case demonstrates something we see every day:
when you act rigorously, the environmental impact is reduced and the company gains safety, efficiency and peace of mind.
At Femevi we work precisely for that: to offer reliable, technical and sustainable solutions to any company that needs support in dismantling, industrial cleaning, tanks, separators or complex waste.
If your company wants to improve its management, reduce risks or act more efficiently, we are here to help you.
