Mortar shell closes Cowes jetty
Police closed the jetty after the discovery of a mortar shell this evening.
The discovery of a mortar shell has this evening closed the Cowes jetty and left dozens of ferry passengers stranded.
Cowes police told onlookers a shell was dredged up from underneath the jetty and was lying on the end of the pier.
It is not known whether the shell was live.
Dozens of passengers were set to board the 5.35pm MV Naturaliste ferry to Stony Point and were barred from entering the jetty by three police cars and four officers.
One group of six friends said they had come to the island for the day (Sunday) for a picnic and had planned to return home on the train after the ferry.
“We were told there could be a bomb and it needed to be investigated before we could get on the ferry,” said one passenger. “We came from Melbourne on the train so we’re going to be very late home. We’re safe but a little cold and unhappy.”
Passengers were told at about 6.15pm they were to make their own way to Rhyll, with many catching taxis.
Kind local residents organised shuttles for some of the passengers between the jetty and Rhyll.
Christine and Paul from Silverleaves were among those offering a car lift, with their own friends stranded.
“Our friends just have to drive home to Balnarring, so not too far,” Christine said, adding she had been told 40 people were booked on the 5.35pm ferry.
More details in this week’s paper.
