Utilising Dagger Diving Services (DDS) Air Diving Capability, the crew successfully conducted a Target Investigation (TI) to verify Potential Unexploded Ordnance (PUXO) that were identified during the geophysical survey. The project took place in the busy and tidal River Thames.

PROJECT SCOPE: INSHORE AIR DIVING AND PUXO OPERATIONS.
LOCATION: THUNDERER JETTY, DAGENHAM DOCKS, RIVER THAMES, UK
START DATE: 13 MAY 2022
END DATE: 5 OCTOBER 2022

MISSION

A Desk-Top Study (DTS) was commissioned by the client Stolthaven in the form of a UXO Threat and Risk Assessment (TARA), but also commissioned a geophyiscal UXO survey in order to identify PUXO that might constrain and/or endanger the refurbishment works. Those geophysical UXO survey anomalies that model as PUXO were selected and those that could not be avoided by a suitable safety distance during the proposed refurbishment, were to be verified by TI in the form of commercial diving operations.

SOLUTION

DDS applied search techniques to great success, the ability to reacquire the magnetic PUXO targets using a hand-held magnetometer. The capability to work in low visibility conditions employing an acoustic camera (or similar), for PUXO verification, discrimination and identification purposes. Finally, de0burial operations utilising air lifts for buried PUXO targets.

RESULT

The four-month project was delivered in a safe and successful manner giving the client the reassurance to conduct the refurbishments and upgrades to Thunderer Jetty.