Dealing with Munitions in Marine Aggregates
Through marine aggregate research The Crown Estate has recently supported the development of a guidance note on how to deal with munitions discovered during marine aggregate dredging.
Introduction
The distribution and density of exploded and unexploded munitions (‘explosive ordnance’) on the seabed varies depending on the history of the area – for example whether it has been used for warfare, naval training, disposal or weapons testing. Changes to existing marine aggregate dredging zones and new licensed areas can result in munitions being raised by a dredger and discharged amongst the marine sand and gravel at a wharf. In the interests of safety and the protection of the environment, dumping of munitions overboard is not advised, while discarding of munitions from a wharf is a criminal offence.
With support from The Crown Estate, the industry bodies (Quarry Products Association & British Marine Aggregates Producers Association) in consultation with the supporting authorities, have prepared this guidance note:
- to outline the potential risks and safety measures that need to be considered;
- to provide practical advice to marine aggregate operators on the measures to be taken to reduce the risk of dredging munitions;
- to describe the procedures to be followed when suspected munitions are encountered – either on the dredger itself or at the wharf while receiving or processing marine dredged aggregate.
The guidance covers two distinct operations:
- offshore dredging
- onshore (wharf) activities taking place in a harbour.
Scope of the Guidance Note
This guidance note covers all types of munitions likely to be encountered at sea and transferred to wharves which remain potentially dangerous even when they have been submerged for many years.
Munitions can potentially be encountered during various stages of marine aggregate production and processing:
- at the mouth of the dredger drag head through the pumps and pipework
- in the dredger’s hold and during discharge
- in the stockpiles at the wharf
- during the processing of material at the wharf
- on the wharf conveyor screen or magnet.
Marine aggregate operators need to consider the potential risks and safety measures of encounters at all of these locations and take action to ensure that the risks to their employees and others are reduced to the lowest level that is reasonably practicable. Against this background, the advice in this document provides practical guidance to operators of the options available to minimise the occurrence of munitions in marine dredged aggregate, and the steps needed to manage any encounters that may take place.
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