Offshore Detonation of Hundreds of WWII Bombs Considered for Wind Farm Projects

Over 600 unexploded World War Two (WW2) ordnance items located on the seabed might be detonated in preparation for the development of three new wind farm projects off the coast of a county. The energy company RWE has submitted applications for two permits to survey an extensive maritime zone extending from Sea Palling and Mundesley, situated in Norfolk, into the North Sea. Prior to commencing construction, the firm is required to verify that its vessels and equipment will not be jeopardized by these potentially hazardous items. Incidents involving unexploded ordnance include the discovery of a German WW2 bomb in a river in Great Yarmouth last year, and the injury of a crabbing boat crew in 2020 after they disturbed a German bomb close to Cromer. A recent survey has presently identified 636 unexploded objects, with the possibility of additional discoveries. Potential approaches involve the controlled detonation of the bombs and mines, rerouting cables to bypass them, or moving them to another location, provided it is deemed safe. This proposal pertains to the Norfolk Boreas, Norfolk Vanguard East, and Norfolk Vanguard West offshore wind farm projects, which are under development by RWE. The German energy company RWE secured the rights for these projects from the Swedish firm Vattenfall. Should approval be granted, remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) will systematically search approximately 40km (24 miles) of the seabed to locate any potential explosives, specifically within a 50m (164ft) buffer zone surrounding the planned wind turbines and their common cable pathways. A portion of these bombs were found within an area containing a Sabellaria reef, which serves as a vital habitat for numerous marine species. The investigative activities carry a risk of disturbing this reef. Ordnance, dispersed by both German and Allied forces during the conflict, continues to present hazards even after remaining inactive for approximately 80 years. Construction of Great Yarmouth’s Herring Bridge experienced delays when a bomb was dredged from the River Yare; it detonated prematurely before its scheduled controlled explosion. In December 2020, the fishing vessel Galwad-Y-Mor was propelled out of the water after a crab pot string activated old munitions on the seabed. Crew members were thrown onto the deck, and the vessel began to take on water. The captain, who sustained three broken vertebrae, a broken sternum, knee damage, a broken orbital bone, and multiple facial lacerations, successfully contacted the coastguard and a companion vessel via radio. The injured crew members, including one who lost sight in an eye, were ultimately rescued by wind farm support vessels. Should the permits be granted, engineers could commence the search for the ordnance within a few months.