Surveyors Find Torpedo-like Object off Scotland
Shipping vessels have been advised not to anchor where an object thought to be a torpedo was discovered on the seabed of Scapa Flow, Scotland.
On Saturday, February 27, Orkney Vessel Traffic Services informed the U.K. Coastguard that a 7-meter torpedo-like object had been found during a routine seabed sonar survey carried out by SULA Diving on behalf of Orkney Islands Council Marine Services. Video footage was then captured using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), which has now been forwarded to the relevant authorities.
U.K. Coastguard has informed the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team and the Senior Coastal Operations Officer based in Orkney. Royal Navy divers, from the Northern Diving Group at Faslane, are making a visit to Orkney this week and will use the opportunity to examine video footage of the object with the Orkney Harbor Authority before deciding what steps to take next.
Although the object presents no immediate danger, the Orkney Harbor Master has asked shipping vessels not to anchor in the vicinity of the area where it was found. A precautionary 1,000-metre no-anchorage area has been put in place around the object, which is lying at a depth of 32 meters of water. The Orkney Harbor Authority will continue to update the U.K. Coastguard and other relevant authorities of any further updates.
Bev Allen, Duty Controller for the U.K. Coastguard said, “Until the Royal Navy Divers have had a chance to examine the footage and the object we are asking that vessels and divers keep at a safe distance and follow the instructions of the Harbor Master and the U.K. Coastguard.”
