Danger UXO

Mitigating the risks of unexploded ordnance in marine aggregates

Ramora UK have an enviable record with regard to the delivery of safe, professional, competent and innovative bomb disposal solutions to a wide range of clients across the globe. As Ramora UK comprise a diverse range of former military personnel, these services, which include specialist training, ensure that any client with an explosive-related issue can be assured of a prompt and relevant response and solution. 

By virtue of the UK’s history, the country’s coastline and associated sea areas are home to many thousands of unexploded ordnance (UXO) items. Precise numbers remain unknown but both military and Ramora UK teams are regularly deployed to provide a disposal solution following a UXO discovery. One of the primary users of Ramora UK’s services is the marine aggregates industry. Working alongside and within UK coastal areas guarantees the presence of explosive remnants of war (ERoW) or UXO, and thus provides a very real issue for such businesses to deal with. 

In relation to marine aggregates activity around the UK, stringent licensing and control measures are enforced. This includes the assessment of areas to be exploited, and thus the potential for UXO discoveries can often be evaluated. Invariably, this will not preclude the exploitation of a given license area, but merely identify the need for a competent and viable UXO disposal solution.

Historically, the solution to UXO disposal was a direct call for assistance from either the police or the Coastguard, who would initiate contact with the Joint Service Explosive Ordnance Disposal Operations Centre (JSEODOC), which, in turn, would provide direct military explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) support under existing military-aid arrangements. Over the past seven years, however, this particular route has narrowed and marine aggregates operators are now expected to identify and fund a commercial alternative to the publicly funded military and police solutions. This has resulted in increased responsibility for the operator, to ensure that appropriate control measures and procedures are implemented to protect their employees, members of the public and assets. Furthermore, on-site employees require relevant training together with an appropriate risk assessment and method statement provided by a competent source. It is no longer acceptable for an on-site employee to move an item of UXO to a locally manufactured sand pit or water tank to await a military response.  

In 2007, the first ever bespoke commercial solution was established at an aggregates facility in Portsmouth. This site had experienced an elevated incidence of UXO discoveries over a prolonged period with numerous call-outs to JSEODOC. Additionally, police attendance for cordon and control purposes was equally regular. The site operators recognized the huge cost implications relating to the continued closures which were imposed by the need to cordon off the area during each disposal operation, and so, following extensive liaison with Ramora UK, a purpose-built transfer and disposal facility was commissioned at the site. This structure allows the safe relocation of munitions from the conveyor belt system utilizing electromagnets and remote-control systems with CCTV. Once transferred, the UXO is held within a protective mitigation zone, thereby removing the risk to personnel and eliminating any need for a cordon. The attendance of a competent EOD team then follows, and after the UXO has been confirmed as being ‘live’, ‘blind’ or ‘inert’, the appropriate action is taken. Any items which are ‘live’ or ‘blind’ are transferred into a disposal chamber, which incorporates similar mitigation to the holding area. This allows for disposal of numerous UXO items on site and eradicates the need for evacuation or cordons. Since its construction in 2006 more than 5,000 munitions have been safely disposed of without incident and with no requirement for police attendance. 

Following the continued success of this facility, Ramora UK have been involved in the provision of similar solutions across a wide range of industries, including oil and gas, renewables, construction, aviation and archaeology. The key element in opting for a commercial solution is whether it can be delivered at the same level of competence to that of the military. Given that the only real credibility for such work comes via those who have retired from military EOD service, this is a relatively easy factor to demonstrate. So, why should an operator opt for a commercial solution, resulting in expense, when the police/military service is provided free of charge? There are a number of reasons, including:

1. The availability of military EOD support for commercial operators is in decline

The use of public funds to support commercial enterprises in the removal or disposal of hazardous waste, which is essentially what UXO is, is no longer palatable, particularly given the economic climate and the fact that entirely viable commercial alternatives are now in existence and entirely accessible. The provision of EOD support from the military, while still available, is prioritized for situations which present a risk to the public, thereby reducing its accessibility and the response rate, which can dramatically effect the commercial continuity of a business. 

2. The delivery of a competent commercial solution includes significant commercial considerations that are not required as part of a military response

When responding to the discovery of an item of UXO, any service provider (military or commercial) must undertake an appropriate assessment and make considerations for:

• Public safety
• Cordon requirements and evacuation
• Blast and danger zones/ranges
• Secondary hazards.

Furthermore, a good commercial EOD service provider should also consider:

• Ways to minimize site disruption and ensure business continuity
• Adoption of additional measures to allow continued working on sensitive sites during UXO discovery/disposal.

3. The delivery of EOD services by a commercial contractor is available at a comparable level to that of the military

While slight deviations are available, the only credible background for those undertaking EOD work in the commercial marketplace is a military one. Equally, this must be to an appropriate level and those undertaking the control and co-ordination of EOD at a site must have undertaken the appropriate 0801, 8B1 or ATO courses. Therefore, an individual having completed such training within the military, followed by operational experience and the addition of commercial considerations, is, arguably, a more credible solution than that of a pure military response for tasks such as this. Clearly, the military output is designed for defence and counterterrorism and, as such, the commercial solutions available in these areas are very limited.

Since its inception in 2004, the Ramora UK brand has grown considerably to a point where it is widely regarded as the foremost reactive commercial bomb disposal company in the UK – a fact borne out by the growing requirement for service delivery to police and other government agencies across the UK. With a wide range of permanently equipped, specialist bomb-disposal vehicles, which are available for immediate deployment around the clock, seven days a week, Ramora UK are capable of offering a police/military-comparable EOD response, which also encompasses commercial considerations.

For further information on Ramora UK’s capability, visit: www.ramorauk.com