Underwater Ordnance Recovery Inc. launched in 1999 upon the retirement of Mr. James Barton, from Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit Two, Norfolk, VA. Mr. Barton began his career in 1975 by joining EOD Mobile Unit One in Hawaii, where he first encountered large numbers of Underwater Unexploded Ordnance (UWUXO).
UOR was contracted in 1999 by the Government of Puerto Rico to provide consulting services regarding UWUXO located both on and off the live fire impact area on Vieques Island, Puerto Rico. Later, Mr. Barton was invited to address the Presidential Commission on Vieques by then Puerto Rico Secretary Attorney General Jose Augustino, who introduced Mr. Barton as “the worlds leading expert on underwater ordnance”. This was due in part to Mr. Barton’s belief that rotting ordnance has a negative effect on the environment, and that UOR non-destructive remediation technology (under development) could clean up such areas with minimal impact in a safe and cost efficient manner never before possible.
In 2004 UOR released the results of a survey conducted on the Vieques Island bombing range; “Radiological, Chemical, and Environmental Health Assessment of the Marine Resources of the Isla de Vieques Bombing Range, Bahia Salina del Sur”.
Significantly, this study demonstrates (Chapter 5. “Movement of Toxic Chemicals Through the Vieques Coral Reef Ecosystem: A Preliminary Analysis;” Dr. James W. Porter), a rotting bomb creates a measurable contamination field extending approximately one meter from the source, a finding that could be useful in characterizing similar sites found elsewhere. This report is available at www.uwuxo.com
In 2005 UOR successfully tested its’ “Ordnance Recovery System,” during sea trials in Key West, FL. by remotely recovering a pair of 500 lb bomb practice shapes (from a depth of 30 FSW), which were then floated to the surface.
UOR also conducted a search for uwuxo at the Waugoshance Lighthouse in Lake Michigan, under contract with the State of Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. Two bombs and a torpedo were identified, (remnants of WWII training).
Presently, UOR is producing an underwater demining plan tailored specifically to the needs of Bosnia/Herzegovina. The plan being drafted uses local contractors exclusively, and all expenses related to the development of this project are donated by UOR Inc.
Through innovative technology, UOR hopes to make large scale UWUXO remediation operations a practical alternative to abandonment.
