A team of volunteer scuba divers in Wales made an unexpected discovery while carrying out one of their regular underwater clean-ups. While exploring the seabed near the Skomer Marine Conservation Zone off the Pembrokeshire coast, the group came across what is believed to be a suspected Russian tracking device.
Strange Tracking Device Spotted Underwater
The divers normally collect everyday rubbish such as fishing lines, plastic waste, and lost angling gear. But this time, something unusual grabbed their attention. A long metal object, measuring about 120 centimeters and weighing around 15 kilograms, was found tightly wedged inside a rocky underwater gulley.
At first, the team assumed it was part of an old navigation marker or stray equipment. However, once they got a closer look, they realised it had a very different design from anything they had seen before. Using a lifting bag, they carefully raised it to the surface.
Did the United Kingdom Violate Its Own Arms Ban? F-35 Parts Reportedly Reached Israel
After returning to land, the divers did some research and compared their find with other similar objects discovered in recent years in Cornwall and Ireland. They soon began to suspect that they were not dealing with random debris, but something far more sophisticated—possibly a military tracking device used to monitor underwater activity.
Object Resembles Military Tracking Device
Experts who examined images of the object said it closely resembled a Russian RGB-1A sonobuoy, a type of underwater tracking device used to detect submarines. Sonobuoys float on the surface and listen for sounds beneath the sea with small microphones called hydrophones.
Because radio and GPS signals cannot travel well underwater, navies use these devices for submarine tracking, patrol missions, and major search operations, such as the searches for Flight MH370 in 2014 and the Titan submersible in 2023.
United Kingdom Unveils 100 New Sanctions to Cut Funding for Russia’s War in Ukraine
The device found in Wales showed key features of known sonobuoys, including three vertical hydrophones and marks suggesting deep-water implosion. Experts explained that similar devices have appeared on beaches in the UK, Ireland, and Lithuania, and the low amount of marine growth suggests this one was not in the water for long.
Although its bright orange outer sleeve was missing, the internal design strongly indicated that divers had recovered an advanced underwater tracking device. Officials warned that anyone who finds a suspicious object at sea should avoid handling it and call 999 for the coastguard, as such devices may contain hazardous materials.
Report Logged as Tensions Rise at Sea
After bringing the object to shore, the divers quickly reported it to the coastguard as required. Officials logged the report and confirmed that the discovery posed no danger and required no emergency action.
Although the find surprised the diving team, military equipment appears in UK waters fairly often. Decades of naval activity have left objects that can break loose or resurface many years after deployment.
The diving team found the suspected Russian tracking device during the same week a Russian research vessel operated near UK waters. That vessel drew concern because many countries have closely watched it for possible interest in undersea communication cables that carry most of the nation’s data. Reports also said the vessel targeted aircraft patrolling the area with lasers, which increased public interest in the discovery.
Experts noted that similar devices have appeared in several European countries in recent years, often drifting long distances before washing up or sinking close to shore.
For the volunteer divers, what began as a normal cleanup dive became one of their most surprising finds—what looked like scrap metal turned out to be a sophisticated underwater tracking device resting quietly on the seabed.