Explosive Ordnance Disposal Detachment Northwest (EOD Det. NW) responded to the Port of Seattle’s request for support in removing two projectiles found underwater during pier construction on the Seattle waterfront.

“We got the call at about 11 from the Port of Seattle Dive Team,” said Lt. Scott Ray, EOD Det. NW Officer in Charge. “They had video for us so we had a pretty good idea what we needed to pack up and bring with us.”

“Packing up” meant loading equipment, everything from diving gear to a lift bag, into the nine-meter rigid-hull inflatable boat (RIB) along with the six-member team and heading south for the hour and ten minute transit to Seattle.  They pulled up at Pier 91 next to the King County sheriff’s boat being used by the port’s dive team.

“They had marked the spot with a peanut buoy making our job much easier,” said Ray. “We train together with all the local law enforcement agencies so we’re not strangers and we know what each other’s capabilities are.”

Ray said they “splashed” (deployed) two divers, Chief Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician Jeremy Porter and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician 1st Class Jon Kristofferson. It didn’t take long to identify and retrieve what turned out to be two 5-inch drill rounds used for practice-loading 6-inch guns.  They were partially submerged in the mud about 43 feet down and didn’t contain any fuses or powder.

“It doesn’t matter if it ends up being dangerous or not. If people find something they think is military munitions or explosives of any kind, they need to call 911,” said Ray. “It’s our job to respond to those calls.”

EOD Det. NW is trained and equipped to render safe all types of explosive hazards on land and underwater. The detachment is located at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island and responds to emergencies throughout Commander, Navy Region Northwest’s five-state area of responsibility.

They provide support to other Department of Defense and civilian law enforcement agencies, as well as the U.S. Secret Service for protection of the President, Vice President, and foreign Heads of State.