20 June, 2007

DIVERS from Royal Navy mine hunter HMS Penzance yesterday (Tuesday) set off a controlled explosion of the remains of a WWII British mine found in the oil port of Sullom Voe.

The mine, discovered during routine operations carried out by the MoD, was still sitting on its launching cradle, indicating that it had never been deployed.

Sullom Voe harbour master Jim Dickson said the mine might have been dumped at the end of the war in 1945.

"The position of the mine, which was badly corroded but in a safe condition, was some 500 metres East of Bardister in 17 metres of water, well clear of the shipping lane," he said.

"Harbour operations were suspended for 30 minutes however, no shipping movements were delayed."