Fisherman lands 500lb surprise - 10-08-97

 Crews of fishing vessels are being put at risk from explosives which "seed" a rich fishing area of the North west of the Isle of Man. Vessels fish in the area which was until four years ago used by NATO as a live sea-bombing range. Following the closure of the range the Celtic League called for a clean up of the site saying that the area was littered with unexploded munitions. Subsequently a Manx government undersea survey established that the area was indeed heavily contaminated with unexploded devices of up to 1000lbs littering the sea bed.

 Yesterday (Monday 4 August) a Manx fishing boat had a narrow escape when it dredged up a 6 foot long parachute mine, with parachute still attached. The bomb was (the MOD say) unidentifiable but the description matches types used in simulated attacks by the USAF prior to the attack on Libya in the mid eighties. Bombs of this type were dropped, silently and with deadly intent, killing many civilians.

 The bomb was lowered to the sea-bed and destroyed by a military team from Faslane in Scotland. There is no doubt the crew had a lucky escape. Had the device exploded it would have destroyed the vessel.

 A Home Office Minister (Lord Williams) due to visit the Isle of Man next week will be quizzed by the Manx government over nuclear dumping in the Beaufort Dyke area of the North Channel. The Celtic League say that he should also be pressed to announce action to clean up the disused NATO range sea bombing range and end the danger to fishermen.

 J.B. Moffatt
pp Celtic League