Work to remove the masts from the SS Richard Montgomery will begin in early September, marking a significant milestone in the long-term management of the historic wreck, the government was confirmed on 14 July 2026.
The operation will involve constructing an underwater platform to allow specialist maritime engineers to cut the 3 masts over the course of several weeks.
The wreck contains around 1,400 tonnes of wartime explosives, which is why every aspect of the operation has been developed under rigorous safety and engineering standards.
Once removed, the masts will be sent to The Historic Dockyard Chatham – which is home to specialist restoration facilities – where they can be properly preserved.
The iconic shipwreck, which lies in the Thames Estuary 1.5 miles off Sheerness and is surrounded by an exclusion zone, has been subject to continuous monitoring and extensive technical assessment since it sank in 1944.
Independent expert advice has confirmed the planned operation can be carried out safely without increasing the risk posed by the explosives remaining onboard. Works are due to begin in September.
The existing exclusion zone around the wreck will remain following the mast removal and work could be completed by the end of September. As with all major engineering projects, the removal of the masts is a complex process, and project deadlines may be extended if delays are caused by weather.
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