German Sea Mine Caught in Fishing Nets Near Isle of Wight Set for Detonation
A massive German sea mine snagged by a fishing boat off the Isle of Wight is due to be blown up this afternoon.
7-Foot Wartime Mine Found Near The Needles
Just after 8am on Saturday, the fishing vessel Cara Lee reported to HM Coastguard that it had caught a 7-foot-long piece of ordnance in its nets close to the famous Needles lighthouse.
The Royal Navy’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team from portsmouth/" title="Portsmouth" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Portsmouth quickly responded and are now at the scene offshore. The Needles Coastguard Rescue Team has also been called in to ensure public safety.
Safety Zone and Planned Detonation
- A 2-mile exclusion zone has been imposed around the area.
- The UK Coastguard confirmed the mine is believed to be an old German wartime sea mine.
- Detonation was initially scheduled between 3:30pm and 4:30pm today.
“From pictures and information from the EOD, we understand that it is an old German wartime sea mine,” said UK Coastguard Duty Controller Piers Stanbury.
Update: Mine Placed Back on Seabed, EOD to Return
In a twist, the coastguard has now announced the ordnance was safely returned to the seabed and the bomb disposal team will come back at a later date to deal with it.
Cara Lee Has History with Wartime Mines
This isn’t the first time the Cara Lee has hauled in dangerous explosives. Back in 2013, the vessel caught a live parachute mine in its nets near Weymouth Bay, Dorset.
Back then, experts from the Explosives Ordnance Disposal Unit had to conduct a controlled explosion on the device. Parachute mines were dropped by German Luftwaffe bombers during World War 2 and were designed to target land.
Despite today’s efforts, the team was unable to make this latest mine safe immediately. Further action will be taken soon.
