A mine?

[AliM]

Yesterday, we heard a long exchange between a fisherman and the coast guard, because the fisherman had found (maybe trawled up) a metallic object that he thought may be a mine. Some of the transmissions were over spoken, so we did not get the whole story, but we were not very impressed by the coastguard's handling of it. He was given the lat and long of the boat, but clearly did not plot it, because he was surprised when the fisherman said he was several hours from shore (he was off Long Sand Head, which didn't seem to be known by the CG). Mind you, he asked for the home port to be spelt out - he did not know where that well known east Coast place was either! The fisherman was kept hanging on for several hours, describing the object in detail, then being asked more questions, hanging on again, which must have been pretty stressful, when you have a possible mine alongside.

Today we saw the boat on AIS - the CG hadn't looked at that or asked about it, even though it would have been a perfect way for him to find where the boat was. The fishing boat went close to Sentinel, then attempted to call the CG, who were so slow getting back to him that he gave up.

Later we heard Thames announcing that a controlled explosion would take place off Shoeburyness, and heard a distant explosion - coincidence, or was that the mine?

Does anyone know more?

 

[sailorman]

the fisherman might have been better telling them to go forth & multiply then a call on 71 to Harwich VTS

 

[DanTribe]

I've told this tale before, but this reminds me.
I overhead a fisherman off Clacton telling Thames CG that he had a mine in his net.
He was getting the run around and delaying tactics from CG, presumably they were waiting for bomb disposal to respond.
Eventually he said;
"Tell you what, I'll take it into Brightlingsea and leave it in your Aunties' shed"
Never heard the end but I bet he got prompt service after that.