TWO VESSELS IN SHEERNESS HARBOUR REPORT SHELLS ONBOARD
Two vessels docked in
Sheerness Harbour this afternoon reported that they had suspected unexploded
shells on board.
Thames Coastguard received
the first call at 2pm from Medway VTS. They reported that a multi-purpose
catamaran workboat in Sheerness Harbour had an 18-inch by 5-inch suspected
unexploded shell on their deck.
The second report of an
unexploded shell on board a vessel in Sheerness Harbour came from Medway VTS at
just before 3.30pm. A 90-metre cable layer had a 12-inch by 4-inch suspected
unexploded shell onboard.
Sheppey Coastguard Rescue
Team went to the scene whilst Thames Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre liased
with the Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit from Portsmouth. They
arrived at Sheerness at 6pm. After examining both shells they declared the
ordnance to be safe.
Thames Maritime Rescue
Coordination Centre Watch Manager Karen Paradise said:
“As a precaution we
evacuated a total of 39 people from the two vessels and put a 100-metre
exclusion zone around their berths in Sheerness Harbour.
“Now that EOD have declared
the two shells to be safe the exclusion zone has been lifted and the crew have
returned to their vessels.”
-Ends-
Notes to Editors
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