COASTGUARD WARN PUBLIC TO BE AWARE OF UNEXPLODED ORDNANCE


Humber Coastguard warns the public to be aware of old World War unexploded ordnance. The ordnance may be washed up or exposed on shorelines along the north east coast and they ask the public to contact the Coastguard immediately.

On Sunday, 1 May at Berwick Coastguard were requested to investigate a report from a member of the public concerning an item of ordnance that had been found at Goswick Sands near Holy Island.  The item was identified as an unexploded shell.  The area was cordoned off by the Berwick Coastguard Rescue officers.  The police and the Bomb Disposal team from Faslane were requested to attend, and the Coastguard Rescue officers remained on scene to assist the Bomb Disposal Squad.

At on Monday, 2 May the shell was detonated by the Bomb Disposal team.

Drew Mahood, Watch Manger at Humber Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, said:

“If you find an object on the beach which you are not sure about, do not touch it.  Make a mental note of where it is or mark the position if safe to do so, take notes if you can of what it looks like and contact the Coastguard on ‘999’ immediately.

Do not touch, move or even lift the object.”


For further details contact:
The Maritime & Coastguard Agency Duty Press Officer
Office hours: 023 8032 9401Mobile: 07764 624 505
Press releases and further information about the Agency is available on the Web at www.mcga.gov.uk

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