On the WaterWednesday, November 11
Unexploded ordnance has been found eight miles off Portland, and mariners are told to steer clear
The Daily Portland team
If you fish or boat out of Portland, here's a spot to steer around. The Coast Guard released a notice to mariners about unexploded ordnance eight miles off the coast, found by mapping researchers with the Maine Department of Marine Resources. The Maine Lobstermen's Association said in a statement that the Maine Coastal Mapping Initiative made the find and that NOAA will work to get it charted.
Researchers with the Gulf of Maine Research Institute say the image appears to show a shell, potentially from World War II, without a detonator. “That being said, it's probably still full of explosives,” said Zach Whitener, captain of GMRI's research vessel.
8 milesoffshore from Portland where the shell was found
The Maine Lobstermen's Association put the location at approximately eight miles or so offshore.
Sources: WMTW, The Boston Globe
- Avoid there: anchoring, bottom trawling, ground fishing, disturbing the seabed
- Position: 43-37-03.180N / 070-04-22.800W
- Location: north of The Cod Ledges, not heavily anchored by large boats
Researchers aren't sure it will be dealt with. “Typically, these sorts of things aren't cleaned up,” Whitener said, because they've been there so long and cost so much to deal with. Mariners have been advised to be cautious near the spot.
Researchers say the shell may be old but could still explode
| Detail | What researchers say |
|---|---|
| Age | Possibly from World War II |
| Detonator | Appears to have none |
| Cleanup | Not sure it will be dealt with |
Source: WMTW
Sources: WMTW, The Boston Globe, Bangor Daily News