Priority Broadcast Alert – Europe and the Mediterranean

A sea mine was found washed up on the shore of Agva, Turkey. Ambrey observed video footage showing the sea mine floating in the water and being carried ashore by the waves. Video footage showed that this is not a Yam-type sea mine. Ambrey has assessed that this is likely a KPM pressure-triggered sea mine carrying 480kg of payload. The sea mine is likely deployed by Russian forces. Local residents reportedly spotted the object in the water and alerted the authorities. Law enforcement secured the area and scheduled detonation for 23 December. Both Russia and Ukraine continue to deploy sea mines in the Black Sea that drift due to currents. At the time of writing, the current off Agva was 0.6kn to the east. Ambrey has previously reported the discovery of sea mines off the coasts of Turkey, Romania, and Bulgaria. At the time of the incident, Ambrey observed up to 8 merchant vessels transiting within 10 NM of the location where the sea mine was discovered. ADVICE: Vessels calling the Black Sea are advised to conduct comprehensive dynamic voyage threat assessments. Additionally, vessels are advised to minimize sailing during low visibility conditions in the northern Black Sea and to post lookouts to spot suspicious objects on the water’s surface. Ambrey provides its clients’ vessels with an explosive ordnance identification sheet to aid in spotting and identification of explosive ordnance.