Explosive disposals

Summary

The request sought data on the number and cost of explosive device disposals on the Isle of Man over the past three years. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed that there were six incidents, with no cost for specialist teams but a total of £1,281.30 paid for Coastguard cover.

Key Facts

• There were six incidents requiring specialist disposal of discarded explosive devices in the three years prior to November 2020.
• The Department of Infrastructure incurred no costs for the travel or expenses of the Royal Logistics Corps EOD teams.
• Total costs for Coastguard personnel cover across all incidents amounted to £1,281.30.
• Two incidents in January 2019 incurred no additional Coastguard costs as they were handled during routine patrols.
• One incident in May 2020 required no scene guard but involved Coastguard assistance with access and equipment.

Data Disclosed

• 6 incidents
• 2018-2020
• £355.26
• £790.74
• £nil
• £135.50
• £1,281.30
• 1557509
• 26/02/2018
• 29/04/2018
• 02/01/2019
• 16/05/2019
• 16/05/2020

Original Request

In the past three years, how many discarded explosive devices (whether remnants of war or otherwise) required specialist disposal? What is the cost of this - both in bringing over specialists to the island and in payment to Coastguards etc for cordoning off devices until they can arrive?

Data Tables (2)

Full Response Text

Mr ###

Department of Infrastructure Sea Terminal Building, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 2RF

Contact: FOI Response Team Telephone: (01624) 686785 Email: dpo-doi@gov.im

Our ref: 1557509 18 November 2020

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on 13 November 2020 and which states (sic):

"In the past three years, how many discarded explosive devices (whether remnants of war or otherwise) required specialist disposal? What is the cost of this - both in bringing over specialists to the island and in payment to Coastguards etc for cordoning off devices until they can arrive?"

During the past 3 years, there have been a total of six (6) incidents requiring specialised disposal of discarded explosive devices. There is no cost to the Department in respect of the travelling and other expenses of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (“EOD”) teams of the Royal Logistics Corps. Details and costs to the Department in respect of Coastguard payments are as follows: Incident No. Date of incident Details of incident Cost of Coastguard cover 034/18 26/02/2018 Presumed WW2 shell found on Castletown beach. Guarded by x2 Coastguards during periods when tide exposed the shell. EOD team arrival on Island 01/03/2018 delayed due to storms. £355.26 099/18 29/04/18 WW2 mortar round unearthed in dunes at Rue Point. Police requested scene be guarded by Coastguard until arrival of EOD team on 01/05/2018, scene required x3 personnel to control access points. £790.74 003/19 02/01/19 Part of ordnance found on beach, object deemed safe to transport (by Joint Services EOD Control Centre) to secure holding location until EOD team arrived on 09/01/2019. No additional costs to Department as items dealt with during routine Coastguard patrols and by Duty Officer during normal working hours. £nil

004/19 02/01/2019 Part of ordnance dredged by fishing vessel, object deemed safe to transport (by Joint Services EOD Control Centre) to secure holding location until EOD team arrived on 09/01/19. No additional costs to Department as items dealt with during routine Coastguard patrols and by Duty Officer during normal working hours. £nil 112/19 16/05/2019 Assist Police with controlled explosion at secure, remote location by EOD team. No additional cost to Coastguard as dealt with by Duty Officer during normal working hours. £nil 087/20 16/05/2020 Mortar found on Spanish Head in remote location away from path, Police content that item did not require cordon so no scene guard required. x5 Coastguard personnel assisted EOD team with access and carrying sand bags etc. on 18/05/2020. £135.50 Total cost of Coastguard personnel cover over 3 year period £1,281.30 Please quote the reference number 1557509 in any future communications.

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FOI Response Team