Suspected torpedo prompts Scapa Flow anchoring restriction

Laura Hodgetts
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Shipping vessels are being advised not to anchor where an object thought to be a torpedo was found on the seabed of Scapa Flow, Scotland over the weekend.

On Saturday, Orkney Vessel Traffic Services informed the UK Coastguard that a 7 metre torpedo-like object had been discovered during a routine seabed sonar survey carried out by SULA Diving on behalf of Orkney Islands Council Marine Services.

Video footage was then captured using an ROV (Remote Operated Vehicle) which has now been forwarded to the relevant authorities.

UK Coastguard has informed the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team and the senior coastal operations officer based in Orkney.

Royal Navy divers, from the Northern Diving Group at Faslane, are making a visit to Orkney this week and will use the opportunity to examine video footage of the object with the Orkney Harbour Authority before deciding what steps to take next.

Although the object presents no immediate danger, the Orkney Harbour Master has asked shipping vessels not to anchor in the vicinity of the area where it was found.

A precautionary 1000-metre no anchorage area has been put in place around the object, which is lying at a depth of 32 metres of water. The Orkney Harbour Authority will continue to update the UK Coastguard and other relevant authorities of any further updates.

Bev Allen, duty controller for the UK Coastguard said: ‘Until the Royal Navy Divers have had a chance to examine the footage and the object we are asking that vessels and divers keep at a safe distance and follow the instructions of the Harbour Master and the UK Coastguard.’