Seatech played a pivotal role in a historic underwater recovery project, leading the efforts to raise the last known WWII Dornier 17 Bomber from Goodwin Sands, located off the Kent coast. The bomber, submerged at a depth of 45 feet, presented a unique challenge due to its delicate condition and significant historical value. Over three years of planning culminated in the design and construction of a specialized aluminium and steel lifting frame by Seatech’s in-house engineers and fabricators. This frame enabled the safe and efficient single-lift recovery of the aircraft from the seabed on June 10, 2013.

This operation is celebrated as one of the most significant recoveries in British waters, both for its scale and the rarity of the artefact involved. The Dornier 17, often referred to as the “”flying pencil”” due to its slim, aerodynamic design, was a key Luftwaffe asset during WWII. The recovered bomber is now an important exhibit at the RAF Museum Cosford, where it serves as a stark reminder of the past and a testament to the advanced recovery techniques employed by Seatech. This project not only highlighted Seatech’s capability in managing complex maritime recoveries but also their contribution to preserving historical heritage.