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What happened?
Two vessels were engaged over various days to remove debris on the seabed.
One remote operated vehicle (ROV) found a World War 2 cartridge magazine.
The ROV tried to lift it, but at 80metres (262 feet) the cartridge exploded, and projectiles hit the ROV. The ROV dropped it to the seabed.
Two days later another vessel recovered some ammunition.
A worker drilled a hole into one of the pieces.
The crew consulted with explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) experts ashore.
They were told to keep the unexploded ordinance (UXO) out of sunshine and to keep it wet, until it could be handed over.
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Why did it happen?
Workers breached vessel procedure – unknown objects should not be recovered to deck.
There was a lack of understanding from the crew of the risks of handling UXO/ammunition.
The area was not known to contain explosives when the operation was being planned.
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What did they learn?
Perform a magnetic survey (UXO survey) for investigations close to shore.
Develop a UXO handling best practice guidance document.
Liaise with the military/navy to ensure that correct information is given to vessel crews.
Workers should feel able to stop an operation or include mitigating measures when risk levels increase.
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Ask yourself or your crew
What would you do if you saw a worker bringing unknown objects on board your vessel?
What is your procedure for handling UXOs?
What assessments are carried out before starting subsea work?
Do you feel comfortable issuing a stop work authority? If not, why not?
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What happened?
Two vessels were engaged over various days to remove debris on the seabed.
One remote operated vehicle (ROV) found a World War 2 cartridge magazine.
The ROV tried to lift it, but at 80metres (262 feet) the cartridge exploded, and projectiles hit the ROV. The ROV dropped it to the seabed.
Two days later another vessel recovered some ammunition.
A worker drilled a hole into one of the pieces.
The crew consulted with explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) experts ashore.
They were told to keep the unexploded ordinance (UXO) out of sunshine and to keep it wet, until it could be handed over.
Why did it happen?
Workers breached vessel procedure – unknown objects should not be recovered to deck.
There was a lack of understanding from the crew of the risks of handling UXO/ammunition.
The area was not known to contain explosives when the operation was being planned.
What did they learn?
Perform a magnetic survey (UXO survey) for investigations close to shore.
Develop a UXO handling best practice guidance document.
Liaise with the military/navy to ensure that correct information is given to vessel crews.
Workers should feel able to stop an operation or include mitigating measures when risk levels increase.
Ask yourself or your crew
What would you do if you saw a worker bringing unknown objects on board your vessel?
What is your procedure for handling UXOs?
What assessments are carried out before starting subsea work?
Do you feel comfortable issuing a stop work authority? If not, why not?
Two vessels were engaged over various days to remove debris on the seabed. The first found a cartridge magazine which exploded underwater, and the second recovered ammunition to deck.
