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EOD successfully deactivates Japanese sea mine
U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians successfully deactivated Saturday a “Japanese sea mine JB Type 93” ordnance that was unearthed by a construction company that is clearing Best Sunshine International Ltd.’s leased public land in Garapan.
Safety officers from the Department of Public Safety and CNMI Homeland Security and Emergency Management assisted EOD technicians in ensuring the safety of persons and property at the construction site vicinity.
Press secretary Ivan Blanco said an all-clear condition was given on Saturday at 6am after officials from EOD, DPS, and CNMI Homeland Security deactivated the old sea mine.
Blanco said the mine was deemed no longer a threat after four hours of removal operation, and the area in Garapan returned to its normal state.
Blanco said the discovery of the ordnance early last week temporarily halted work at the site, formerly known as the Samoan Housing Area.
He said the process to remove any hazardous risks from moving the mine from the site required the closure of Cpl. Derence Jack Street and Beach Road in front of the site toward the Bank of Guam intersection as a precaution, and was carried out at a time where pedestrian traffic was absent.
After discovery of the sea mine, Best Sunshine immediately notified DPS, which then requested assistance from EOD team experts in the region. EOD’s Mobile Unit flew from Guam to Saipan on Thursday morning.
