Suspected bomb found on British fishing boat as Royal Navy team scrambles to scene

The device, which the Royal Navy Bomb Disposal team hope to detonate in a controlled explosion, is believed to have been picked up by a fishing trawler.

It is being taken out to safe location to allow experts to safely detonate the device.

HMNB Devonport's bomb disposal team hope to make the device safe at some point today.

The Royal Navy thanked local residents for reporting the discovery of unusual items and showing diligence.

A spokesperson for the Royal Navy said: "The Royal Navy’s Bomb Disposal team in HMNB Devonport are looking to clear the item which is currently on the seabed south of the Breakwater in Plymouth Sound this afternoon, tides and sea state condition considered.

"They are planning to lay a small charge next to the item and initiate a controlled explosion."

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They added: "Once again, the Royal Navy Bomb Disposal team at HMNB Devonport are thankful for the diligence and alertness of the public in reporting any unusual item found and reporting it to the Devon & Cornwall Police who request the guidance of the Bomb Disposal experts."

A spokesperson for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency added: "A suspected ordnance device was reported on a fishing vessel in Looe harbour on January 11.

"The alarm was raised at about 12.45pm. Looe Coastguard Rescue Team and Devon and Cornwall Police attended as well as a Navy explosive ordnance disposal team.

"The device was taken out to sea to a safe location where it is planned to be made safe today."

Fred Alsop, from the Fish Market Restaurant in Looe, said he could not open his restaurant on the quay on Thursday evening because the area was cordoned off.

He told the BBC: "All of a sudden, just as we were about to open the restaurant last night, we were informed by police that we couldn't do so as a quarantined area of the quay was to be cordoned off and bomb disposal from the Royal Navy were on their way."

Mr Alsop said it was "surreal" that one of the very trawlers the restaurant relies on for its fresh fish had forced its doors to stay closed.

"We're a fresh fish restaurant which specialises in, you know, local day boat fish from Looe and then to be scuppered by the very vessel that we rely on... it's quite a surreal selection of events."