Navy People: Pacific Palm boys hunt for WW2 bombs

31 August 2010

Jackson Sharp and Jeremy Coffey were both students at Foster Campus and now they are both hunting for unexploded bombs in the Solomon Islands.

Both men are now Navy Clearance Divers, members of the Navy’s special forces. They are in the Solomon Islands in support of the Australian-led Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI).

“Our primary role is Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD),” said Jackson.

“We are working closely with the local Royal Solomon Islands Police Force divers to search the local waterways and shorelines of the Solomon Islands for ordinance left over from the Second World War.

“Once we locate it we identify it and prepare it for disposal. Usually this involves stacking and rigging the ordinance underwater in preparation for a controlled detonation.

“To date we have cleared over a thousand different munitions - from small 37mm cannon rounds up to 100 pound bombs,” said Jeremy.

“Unexploded ordinance is a real problem in the Solomon Islands – many locals use them for fishing. They try and cut them open with drills and hacksaws to use in fish bombs. Many are killed or injured because of it - every piece of ordinance we remove could mean a life saved.”

Both Jeremy and Jackson graduated as Clearance Divers just three months ago and this is their first overseas operation with the Navy. It is not something either takes lightly.

“It is a demanding job,” Jeremy said, “but we are fortunate to have a highly trained and skilled group of guys to work with.”

“We have been on the job here for about a month now,” said Jackson.

“We are stoked to be out here, using our skills and training to help make this area safer for the Islanders.”

Jackson’s father, Steven, a long term Pacific Palms local, is very supportive of his son’s career choice.

“Dad is very supportive and proud of what I am doing out here,” said Jackson.

Jeremy’s parents, Peter and Rosely Coffey feel the same.

Both divers admit that their shared interest in water, surfing and diving, as well as the varied and interesting work were major reasons they chose the Navy as a career.

“Clearance Diving is not a job that you can become easily bored with,” said Jackson.

“Every day is a new opportunity to learn and build upon your professional knowledge and skills,” said Jeremy. “It is hard work but the local people understand we are trying to make it safer for them and are very supportive. It makes it all worthwhile.”