The Navy neutralizes an artillery shell found by a fishing boat in Fuengirola
A bomb disposal team from the Cádiz Diving Unit retrieved and neutralized a five-inch shell that a fishing boat recovered in the waters of the Strait on Wednesday, September 16.
Redacción · Published on September 19, 2026
A bomb disposal team from the Cádiz Diving Unit (UNBUDIZ) neutralized a five-inch artillery shell that had been recovered by a fishing boat in the waters of the Strait, near Fuengirola. According to the note sent by the Navy's Press Relations Office in Rota, the device corresponds to a shell from the first third of the 20th century.
The fishing boat located the shell on Wednesday, September 16. After the alert, the Guardia Civil began operations together with the Navy through the Maritime Operations and Surveillance Center (COVAM), at the Maritime Action Force General Headquarters, from where the specialized team was mobilized.
The disposal team, based at the Puntales Naval Station, boarded the fishing boat with the support of the Guardia Civil's Maritime Service, which transported the specialists to the vessel. After identifying the shell, the technicians confirmed that it was in safe condition for transport and took it to a safe area, where they proceeded to neutralize it and remove the remains.
The note warns of the danger of this type of device even if it has remained submerged for a long time, since the explosive charge can remain intact and the activation systems can become unstable if handled. In the event of any similar finding, the authorities should be informed so that the material can be identified and neutralized by specialized personnel.
The Navy's Diving Units are part of the Maritime Action Force (FAM) and have personnel specialized in explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) underwater and in mine disposal techniques. According to the Navy, it is the only one qualified to carry out this type of task in the maritime and coastal domain.
The fishing boat located the shell on Wednesday, September 16. After the alert, the Guardia Civil began operations together with the Navy through the Maritime Operations and Surveillance Center (COVAM), at the Maritime Action Force General Headquarters, from where the specialized team was mobilized.
The disposal team, based at the Puntales Naval Station, boarded the fishing boat with the support of the Guardia Civil's Maritime Service, which transported the specialists to the vessel. After identifying the shell, the technicians confirmed that it was in safe condition for transport and took it to a safe area, where they proceeded to neutralize it and remove the remains.
The note warns of the danger of this type of device even if it has remained submerged for a long time, since the explosive charge can remain intact and the activation systems can become unstable if handled. In the event of any similar finding, the authorities should be informed so that the material can be identified and neutralized by specialized personnel.
The Navy's Diving Units are part of the Maritime Action Force (FAM) and have personnel specialized in explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) underwater and in mine disposal techniques. According to the Navy, it is the only one qualified to carry out this type of task in the maritime and coastal domain.
