Coastguard and EOD Teams Respond to Suspected Ordnance on Widemouth Beach

On Sunday, March 3rd, 2024, a collaborative operation involving the Bude Coastguard Rescue Team, Boscastle Coastguard Team, and the Royal Navy’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) specialists was conducted at Widemouth beach following a report of possible ordnance discovered on the shoreline. The alert, initiated by Bude Police at 12:14, prompted an immediate response from the local coastguard teams to ensure public safety.

Upon arrival at the scene, the Officer in Charge (OiC) of the Bude Coastguard Rescue Team coordinated with police officials as the Rescue Officers established a safety cordon around the suspicious object. It was evident that the object, a metallic cylinder, had been submerged in water for an extended period, raising concerns over its potential as unexploded ordnance.

To ascertain the nature of the object, images were swiftly sent to the Royal Navy’s EOD specialists. Given the inconclusive nature of the photographs, the EOD team deemed it necessary to conduct an on-site examination. Their expertise allowed for a prompt assessment, revealing that the object, although once a metallic cylinder, had largely disintegrated over time and was conclusively identified as non-ordnance material.

Following the EOD team’s evaluation, the established cordon was removed, signifying no further threat to the public. The operation concluded with a debriefing session, after which both the Bude and Boscastle Coastguard Rescue Teams returned to their stations, marking the end of call out #09.

This incident highlights the effectiveness of the coordinated response by emergency services in managing potential public safety threats. The timely and professional actions of all teams involved ensured that the situation was resolved without harm to the public or the responders.