E.ON can now confirm that the two unexploded devices, detected along the Rampion offshore cable route will be safely disposed of this week following consultation with the Marine Management Organisation in line with all appropriate regulations.
The two devices thought to date from WWII, were discovered in March during UXO (unexploded ordnance) surveys, which are undertaken as protocol during offshore construction works. They were detected on the seabed, 3km off Lancing Beach at a water depth of 13m. On discovery a 500m exclusion zone to sea users was put in place.
Two controlled explosions are scheduled to take place this week, between Tuesday and Thursday during daylight hours, subject to logistics and weather conditions. The time of which will be confirmed on the day via a Notice to Mariners. Commercial and recreational sea users have been informed of the controlled explosion and the 2km radius safety exclusion zone that will be monitored during the event.
Chris Tomlinson, E.ON Development Manager for the Rampion Offshore Wind Farm, said: “Since the discovery we’ve been working with experts to determine the best course of action to clear the site and a routine controlled explosion is now due to take place this coming week.
“We don’t know if there will be much to see as it will depend on sea conditions and whether the explosive material has degraded over time. However as ever safety remains our highest priority and we request that anyone wishing to watch proceedings stays on the beach.”
The 400MW Rampion Offshore Wind Farm is being built 13km off the Sussex coast by E.ON, the UK Green Investment Bank plc and Canadian energy company Enbridge. It is due to be completed in 2018.
