POULSBO — The U.S. Navy detonated a sea mine found floating in the channel between Bainbridge Island and Brownsville on Tuesday.
A spokesperson stated that the mine was detonated at around 8:05 p.m. that evening.
“The detonation did not create a secondary explosion which indicated the device was inert,” the spokesperson stated. “Its origin remains undetermined. The Navy will continue to investigate.”
The mine was discovered by the state Department of Natural Resources, and it appeared to have decades of marine growth on its exterior.
Shortly before the detonation, the Navy stated, “It is unknown if the mine is inert, and it cannot safely be towed to shore for further assessment. The object has been towed to a location determined to be safest to the immediate population for this operation.”
Earlier in the day, the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office had asked people living along the shoreline to shelter in place. The areas affected were from Brownsville and Keyport to the Agate Pass Bridge on both sides of the water.
The sheriff’s office lifted that order at approximately 8:15 p.m.
After the mine was discovered shortly after noon, the U.S. Coast Guard established a 1,500-yard safety perimeter around the device, which was drifting south about 1,200 yards east of the Brownsville Marina, according to a Coast Guard official.
At 4:50 p.m., three men in an unmarked black dinghy were seen approaching the device. Two of them entered the water and were dragging the device by a piece of rope by 4:57 p.m.
