REASSURANCES have been given that an unexploded military device discovered near a North Sea oil platform poses little danger.
Bomb disposal experts from the Royal Navy were asked for advice after the object was found on the seabed close to the Ninian Central Platform off Shetland.
The object is believed to be an anti-submarine device dating from the Second World War. A 75m exclusion zone has been set up to prevent vessels from sailing too close to its location and all diving in the area has been suspended.
Experts said the object did not pose a danger unless something came into contact with it. “There is no immediate risk,” a Ministry of Defence spokesman said.
The chances of the device self-detonating are thought to be remote. If it did, only infrastructure within five metres could be damaged.
The device is estimated to be about 130m from the platform, which belongs to Canadian Natural Resources.
There are about 190 people on board the rig, which according to the company is still operational.
The MoD spokesman said the Royal Navy bomb disposal team had been consulted about the device around three weeks ago.
“The item is situated close to a small infrastructural pipeline – possibly carrying electrical cables – and poses no threat to the public,” he said. “The object is three to four miles outside of territorial waters and is at 150m depth.
“As it is outside UK waters it now falls on the owner of the pipeline to sub-contract the disposal of the item to specialist divers.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel