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World War II Ordnance discovered by divers

World War II Ordnance discovered by divers

Thursday 12 November 2020

World War II Ordnance discovered by divers

Thursday 12 November 2020


An object, which is believed to be a piece of Second World War ordnance, has been discovered near to the QE2 marina entrance.

A team of local divers discovered the device - which is believed to have lain on the seabed undisturbed for over 70 years - around by the Reffee Buoy during a routine dive in the area.

Guernsey Coastguard said it is working with Bailiwick Law Enforcement to dispose of the ordnance safely, with team of divers from the Royal Navy’s explosive ordnance disposal team expected to visit the island in the coming days to move the device away from its current location. 

harbour master harbourmaster David barker

Pictured: Guernsey's Harbourmaster Captain David Barker said public safety was the reason behind an exclusion zone that has been set up for local mariners. 

Harbourmaster Captain David Barker said a 200-metre maritime Exclusion Zone has been established around the device.

"Mariners should follow the instructions of the Local Notices to Mariners and stay away from the exclusion zone which has been established. This means that, unfortunately, those who wish to enter and leave the QE2 marina will be inconvenienced for a short time, until the device has been removed.

"Thankfully, the discovery was made during a quiet time of year for pleasure vessel traffic, however public safety must be our first concern. Any anchoring and underwater activities are strictly prohibited in the Exclusion Zone and mariners are to only enter this area to avoid immediate danger.”

Mariners should follow the instructions in the Local Notices to Mariners, which can be found here.

Pictured top: The exclusion zone shown in the notice to mariners (Credit: Crown 2016).

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