USCG: hazard from discarded munitions

The United States Coastguard (USCG) had published Safety Alert 02-24 relating to hazards presented by discarded ammunition. The alert was issued to raise awareness of lurking hazards caused by discarded munitions, which often contain active explosives or chemical agents. Although the practice of dumping munitions into the sea ceased in 1970, a significant amount remains hidden in coastal waters, posing a safety hazard to commercial fisherman, dredge operators, and others who trawl and work the ocean floor.

 What happened

A deckhand on a clamming vessel was severely burned when a canister was dredged up and brought onboard with clams and other debris. The canister likely contained mustard gas or another blistering agent, but did not display any obvious visual, audible, or odour indicators of discharging content. A member of the crew discovered the canister and threw it back overboard. Several hours later he developed a severe rash that required professional medical treatment. Mustard gas is a chemical weapon developed during World War I. Millions of pounds of this product, other chemical weapons, bombs, torpedoes, artillery shells, and munitions were routinely disposed of and remain in U.S. coastal waters.

Although many munition dump areas are well marked on navigation charts, numerous areas where munitions were discarded remain unmarked. There is also evidence suggesting that munitions were frequently “short dumped,” meaning dumped outside of the designated areas by contractors hired to take them to the intended locations.

The US Coast Guard previously issued Safety Alert 11-16 and Safety Alert 6-10 on this same topic and continues to strongly recommend that persons involved in the fishing and dredging industries:

• Review their navigational charts to ensure the areas in which they are working are not near labelled “Explosives Dumping Areas.” Such areas should be given a wide berth and seafarers should recognize that seabed topography can change and that objects can move significant distances from their original disposal areas;
• Carefully record the position of any munitions encountered and returned to the sea;
• Immediately report discovery of unexploded munitions to the appropriate local authorities.

Members may wish to refer to:

• Maritime Industry 3Rs Explosive Safety Guide
• MAIB: Unexploded ordnance – subsea explosion causes injury and damage
• High potential near miss: unplanned handling of unexploded ordnance
• Exploding television recovered from sea