The search for undetonated weapons in UK waters: Meeting the bomb-hunters

The seabed off the UK's coast is littered with hundreds of thousands of unexploded bombs and mines, posing a threat to those working at sea. Lee Gooderham, the founder of Ordtek, has spent 12 years mapping these munitions. The map shows known munitions, but there are still many unknown ones. Fishing vessels and dredgers are particularly at risk when they encounter unexploded ordnance. In 2020, a fishing vessel was thrown into the air when a World War Two bomb exploded, injuring crew members. Ordtek mainly serves the offshore and renewables sector, helping them navigate high-risk areas. The process of finding these munitions involves desk-based work, archive research, and surveys using geophysical equipment. If bombs can be avoided by a certain distance, they can be left in place. Otherwise, a remotely-operated underwater vehicle (ROV) is used to detonate them while protecting sea life. The cost of the whole process can be significant. Ordtek has made surprising finds, including one instance where they discovered a 4,000lb bomb that could not be destroyed due to permit-related issues. Clearing the entire seabed is nearly impossible, and it is estimated that it would take 300 years and unimaginable costs to clear the munitions from World War Two. The German government is currently examining the issue. Fishermen like Steve Stoker, who has caught unexploded bombs in his nets, have also been impacted by these munitions. Despite the dangers, Stoker has grown accustomed to them, as he used to blow them up with his father as a child. The Ministry of Defence stated that they respond to any discovered materials appropriately.