BELFAST COASTGUARD ALERTED TO WAR MINE

Belfast Coastguard received a telephone call at just after 8:20 a.m. on 15 March 2001 from the Fishing Agency based in Kilkeel, Northern Ireland. The Agency rang to inform Coastguard staff that a 25m, Belfast registered fishing vessel that had been fishing 3 miles south of the border near Carlingford Lough, had picked up a mine in its nets.

Belfast Coastguard immediately made contact with the crew of the fishing vessel and with the Explosive Ordinance Department (EOD) based in England. The EOD then contacted the fishing vessel to confirm that they were carrying a World War II Mine.

Belfast Coastguard then requested the launch of the RNLI Lifeboat from Clogher Head to standby the fishing vessel as well as informing Dublin and Liverpool Coastguard Stations of the events which were unfolding.

Steven Palmer, Watch Manager for Belfast Coastguard said, "We are currently coordinating the safe passage of the fishing vessel to a nearby dumping ground, some 3.5 miles east of Annalong. The vessel has an ETA of 13:00 hours and will then dispose of the mine onto the seabed before departing the scene. An EOD team will then take the matter in hand."