Coastguard Teams Investigate Suspected Ordnance Found On West Cumbrian Beach
Coastguard teams investigated two suspected pieces of ordnance discovered on a West Cumbrian beach.
Millom Coastguard Rescue Team was alerted after reports of possible ordnance on Drigg beach. The team was requested by Belfast Coastguard to attend the location and investigate the items that had been reported. Whitehaven Coastguard Rescue Team also attended to assist with the response. When crews arrived, they located the reported item and found a second suspected piece of ordnance nearby, prompting further assessment of both objects.
The items were found on the beach and were treated as potential ordnance because of their appearance and location. Coastguard crews did not attempt to identify or dispose of the objects themselves, instead gathering information that could be assessed by the appropriate specialist authorities. Photographs, a description of the items and their precise location were collected as part of the response.
Details of the suspected ordnance were passed on so they could be forwarded to an army bomb disposal team. The information supplied to the military team included photographs and a description of the objects, together with their location on the beach. Specialist bomb disposal personnel are responsible for determining the nature of suspected explosive ordnance and deciding what action is required.
The person who initially reported the objects also provided an accurate what3words location. This allowed the responding coastguard teams to identify the reported area efficiently and helped crews reach the correct part of the beach. The person remained at the scene until the coastguard teams arrived, providing a useful point of contact for the crews responding to the report.
The incident highlights the importance of reporting unusual objects discovered along the Cumbrian coastline. Historic military material can remain in coastal areas for many years, and objects exposed by changing conditions can sometimes resemble harmless debris. Members of the public are therefore advised not to make their own assessment of whether an unfamiliar object is safe.
West Cumbria has experienced a number of incidents involving suspected ordnance washing ashore in recent months. Drigg and other beaches along the west coast have a long association with military activity and explosives work, meaning historic items can occasionally be exposed by coastal conditions. Previous incidents have resulted in specialist explosive ordnance teams being called to investigate and dispose of objects found on beaches.
Coastguard teams have previously dealt with suspected ordnance found around the region, including incidents where items were subsequently confirmed as live. The discovery of suspected military material does not necessarily mean that an item is still dangerous, but members of the public cannot safely determine its condition simply by examining it. That is why emergency services advise people to keep away and report anything they believe could be ordnance.
The latest response involved both Millom and Whitehaven Coastguard Rescue Teams. Their role was to attend the reported location, assess the immediate situation and provide relevant information to the specialist authorities. The teams also relied on the location information supplied by the person who made the original report, allowing the response to be focused on the precise area where the objects had been found.
The use of accurate location information can be particularly important when incidents occur on beaches or other areas without conventional street addresses. What3words can provide a specific location reference that emergency crews can use when responding to reports. In this case, the accurate location provided by the member of the public assisted the coastguard teams in finding the reported objects.
Members of the public are being reminded that they should not touch, move or attempt to take away any object that could be unexploded ordnance. Moving an item could potentially increase the risk to the person handling it and anyone nearby. Instead, people should move to a safe distance and contact the emergency services so that the object can be assessed by trained personnel.
The coastguard has advised that anyone finding something unusual on a beach should report it rather than taking risks. A description and accurate location can help responders establish what has been found and determine what further action may be required. The latest incident demonstrates how information provided by members of the public can assist emergency crews when potentially hazardous objects are discovered.
The wider pattern of ordnance discoveries along the West Cumbrian coast is linked to the area's military history. Historic explosives and military material can become exposed over time as tides, storms, erosion and changes to beaches alter the coastline. This means objects that have remained hidden for decades can occasionally become visible and be discovered by walkers and other beach users.
Recent incidents have also shown that suspected ordnance can require specialist intervention even when the objects have been exposed for a long period. Earlier discoveries along the Cumbrian coast have included items that required controlled disposal by military bomb disposal personnel. These incidents reinforce the importance of treating any suspected ordnance seriously until specialists have established what the object is.
The latest objects found at Drigg were therefore reported and photographed rather than handled by members of the public or coastguard personnel. Their details were passed to the army bomb disposal team for specialist assessment. The next steps will depend on the team's evaluation of the objects and whether they are confirmed to be explosive ordnance or another type of material.
The coastguard response also provides a reminder for people visiting West Cumbrian beaches to remain alert to unusual objects, particularly following periods of rough weather or changing coastal conditions. Beach users should avoid approaching or handling anything that appears suspicious and should provide emergency services with as much location information as possible when making a report.
Millom Coastguard Rescue Team thanked the person who raised the initial report for providing an accurate location and remaining at the scene until crews arrived. The team has urged anyone who sees something that appears out of place to report it through the emergency services, allowing trained personnel to take over the assessment and decide what action is necessary.
Anyone who finds an object they believe could be unexploded ordnance is advised not to touch or move it. People should keep themselves and others at a safe distance and call 999, providing a description and location so the Coastguard can respond and involve the appropriate specialist authorities.
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