The explosives await the launch

Richter scales rattled and the earth rumbled around the Castle Peak Range September 19 to 21 as the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Cadre destroyed over 980 kilograms of high explosives and some 2,000 detonators.

They were seized in EOD operations over the last two years, and upon orders from the court, Senior Bomb Disposal Officer Dominic Brittain planned the destruction operation.

"These operations are dangerous and very hard work. We simply could not cope without the additional trained manpower provided by the Bomb Disposal Officers on the EOD Cadre. They performed magnificently throughout, with the explosives destroyed safely in 40 explosions over the three days," Mr Brittain said.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (Operations) Cheung Chi-shum visited the officers at the range on the second day.

"I was very impressed by the dedication, spirit and professional discipline of the Cadre BDOs," Mr Cheung said.

"These operations are physically demanding and dangerous, yet the officers worked extremely well. The hard work and training required to enable these officers to qualify as Cadre BDOs really shows its benefits in operations like this."

The explosives were detonated in 25-kilogram batches and, although the officers were behind cover over 300 metres away, the ground shook with each explosion.

Cadre BDO Gareth Ho said: "These operations are physically and mentally hard work, but you get a real sense of satisfaction doing this work professionally, efficiently and safely."

Another Cadre BDO, Adam Roberts, added: "It may be hot, uncomfortable and dangerous, but most people spent their day behind a desk. I did something different today."

Meanwhile, October 7 saw EOD officers literally catch and defuse a highly explosive wartime shell dredged up in the East Lamma Channel.

The rusty 60 by 15-centimetre shell was wedged in the suction head of the dredger, which was later escorted by Police launch to an anchorage off Lamma Island. The dredger crew were evacuated and a 200-metre cordon set up around the vessel.

EOD Sergeant Joe Tam Sui-tong, having received a quick lesson in the dredger's crane operation from the crew, lifted the suction head and released the 45-kilogram shell, safely caught below by Mr Brittain for defusing.

"We knew when we lifted the dredge head the bomb might fall out, hit the deck and explode. So we put a lot of soft material underneath it to reduce the chance of it going off should it happen to hit the deck," SGT Tam said.

"I was a little nervous as it was live, but who else is there to do an operation like this? This is what we are here for, and the top teamwork between all involved in the operation was very important in ensuring its success."

Smoking guns . . .

EOD Sergeants Joe Tam Sui-tong and Wong Kwok-fai, along with Police Constable Kam Chi-fai, recently took OffBeat through the arduous task of safely disposing almost a tonne of explosives.

SGT Wong: "The explosives were taken from the EOD stores and taken to Kowloon side by Police launch as dangerous goods cannot be taken through the cross-harbour tunnels. Our vehicles then picked them up at Siu Lam Base and delivered them to Castle Peak Range.

"However, we used Government Flying Service Blackhawk helicopters to get the rest of the officers up to the site as it takes hours to get there by road, it is so far away.

"EOD officers are like pilots in that they must ensure concentration, so the SBDO only works them for a limited number of hours a day.

"Once up there we detonate the explosives in pits for safety, 25 kilograms at a time, firing three pits off in succession before backfilling the pit and preparing the next lot of explosives. And just the small 25-kilo explosions were causing such huge holes we had to repeatedly refill them to conduct the next detonation safely. At 300 metres we still had to shelter in a splinter-proof hut as you could really feel the shockwave from the blast on your skin."

PC Kam: "On the first day it was baking hot, then on the second day it rained but in these situations there's nothing you can do about it, you just have to work with it. Over 900 kilos of explosives is a lot, not to mention the 2,000 detonators and 180 kilos of fishbombs we also had to destroy in the operation. We just had to get on with the job."

SGT Tam: "Having to dispose of such a large seizure is very unusual and very meticulous. Everything had to be checked and packed into containers and put in storage and then checked again. We were certainly happy to see it all go up in smoke at the end!

PC Kam added: "Even though it was hard work it was good to have such solid teamwork, and ACP OPS actually showed up and joined us on the second day, helping backfill pits and detonate explosions. Also, we would like to thank the Marine officers as transporting the materials required a lot of carrying which they helped us with."