During commercial fishing, clamming, or dredging operations, net, bottom-tending gear, and dredges may catch or dredge up munitions from the ocean. These munitions should be considered as presenting a serious danger to a vessel and its crew.

Many vessel crews tell sea stories about catching suspicious items in their nets or dredging gear.

* In some cases, munitions that have been in water for long periods may be more sensitive. It is best to avoid handling any suspected or actual munitions recovered from the sea.

* Often, munitions that are discovered on land or recovered from the sea are referred to as “duds” or “UXO” (unexploded ordnance), and such munitions can explode when handled.

* Munitions submerged in sea or fresh water for any length of time may be:

Like new and easy to identify;

Heavily encrusted with sea growth and difficult to identify.

* Close all doors and hatches;

* Shut down all ventilation systems;

* Steam into the wind to carry contaminants away from the crew;

* Move all crewmembers up wind;

* Contact the US Coast Guard for assistance.

In case of contact with chemical agents, immediately rinse with large amounts of water (if possible, warm soapy water), even if no effects are felt. Crewmembers should not work in a contaminated area and every effort should be made to prevent the spreading of contaminants.In case of contact with chemical agents, immediately rinse with large amounts of water (if possible, warm soapy water), even if no effects are felt. Crewmembers should not work in a contaminated area and every effort should be made to prevent the spreading of contaminants.

* If in deep water, stream the munition as far aft as possible and maintain steerageway as necessary. Remain in the area while awaiting assistance.

A clean Aerial Bomb (top), a recovered Aerial Bomb (bottom)

MUNITIONS ONBOARD

* Secure the munition with guy lines to prevent further movement;

* Keep the crew away from that area.

* If retained onboard

Limit handling and avoid hitting or bending any part of the munition;

Slow the munition on deck as far away as possible from the heat sources, vibration and the crew, but limit handling;

Firmly chock and lash the munition to prevent movement;

Cover and/or wet to minimize the potential for:

- Deterioration of metal parts and release of any fill;

- Explosives to dry out and become sensitive to shock.

Keep crew away from item.

Request assistance. (Channel 16-156.800 MHz)

If within 2 or 3 hours of land, the safest measure is to notify the US Coast Guard and move to the rendezvous area offshore.

Careful observation is necessary prior to reporting, so that proper instructions and assistance can be provided. The information you provide may also be combined with other reports to produce new warnings to mariners and update nautical charts.

* The vessel’s position (use World Geodetic System 1984 [WGS-84] for reporting).

* If the exact position is unknown, give approximate coordinates, or a range and bearing from a charted feature.

* The activity being conducted when the munition was encountered (e.g., fishing, dredging).

* A general description of the munition’s key features (size, shape, fins, props, markings) and condition. (Never attempt to clean the munition for identification purposes, open it, or tamper with it in any way.)

* The action taken (e.g. stowed or jettisoned).

* If jettisoned, also provide:

The position of the release, water depth, and buoys or markings used;

A description of any entanglement (e.g. net, dredge) or other details.

* Any unusual odors, if noticed.

* Whether the munition was jettisoned:

In or near a charted munitions dump:

Near (within 1,000 yards of) any surface or sub-surface structures.