The Royal Navy has made one of the most remote islands on the planet – made famous by the Mutiny on the Bounty – safe after detonating tonnes of unexploded devices.
In 2024, HMS Tamar conducted a visit to the island of Pitcairn, one of the most isolated places in the world with only 38 residents, and discovered 3.5 tonnes of high explosive ammonium nitrate stored in the north of the island.
The explosives were left behind from the construction of Pitcairn’s tiny harbour half a century ago.
Earlier in 2026, the Bravo Diving Unit II from the Royal Navy’s Diving and Threat Exploitation Group (DTXG) was tasked to safely dispose of the explosives in a series of controlled detonations.
Royal NavyLieutenant Commander Jim Langley, executive officer of HMS Tamar, in temporary command of the ship and in overall command of the operation, called the mission a “resounding success”.
“Tamar’s time in Pitcairn has been rewarding and hugely productive”, he said.
“Our primary task – for a team of Royal Navy divers to safely dispose of historic explosive ammonium nitrate – was a resounding success. Alongside this, the ship’s company threw themselves into supporting the local community as well as experiencing the island and its unique character.
“We enjoyed a very warm welcome and kind hospitality throughout and it was great to see sailors and islanders working side by side.
“Pitcairn is a beautiful and unique destination, so it is a privilege to be able to bring the ship to its remote shores and patrol the UK’s most distant Exclusive Economic Zone.”
Elsewhere, sailors assisted locals in the building of a community centre.
They also lent a hand in clearing local infrastructure, and the ship’s engineers provided their expertise to aid the repairs of the island’s solar panels.
As a thank you, the islanders gave the sailors a tour, opened their stalls to sell Pitcairn’s famous honey, and hosted a banquet in Adamstown Square.
Royal Navy via SuppliedLieutenant Commander Callum Clarke, officer in charge of Bravo Diving Unit II, said: “This operation will be a career highlight for me and all the members of my team. We are normally held at immediate notice for bomb disposal duties across the south of the UK, so travelling to such a remote and beautiful Pacific island has been a real privilege and adventure.
“Other than a short thunderstorm the conditions throughout were perfect and the operation went very smoothly. We had incredible support from HMS Tamar’s ship’s company and the Pitcairn residents who even hosted us for dinner one evening.”
Her Excellency Ms Iona Thomas, the Governor of the Pitcairn Islands, said: “The successful disposal of these explosives highlights the critical role the Royal Navy plays in supporting the UK’s Overseas Territories, no matter how remote.
“This operation has removed a potential environmental and safety hazard, while reinforcing the UK’s commitment to protecting Pitcairn’s unique marine and natural environment. I thank HMS Tamar and the diving team for their exceptional work and continued support.”
Royal Navy via SuppliedThe Mutiny on the Bounty is considered one of the most notorious events in maritime history.
It occurred in 1789 when the HMS Bounty was on a mission to collect breadfruit trees from Tahiti and take them to plantations in the West Indies, when disaffected crewmen, led by acting-Lieutenant Fletcher Christian, seized control.
It has been retold in three major films, starring Marlon Brando, Anthony Hopkins and Mel Gibson.
The island was made famous by the incident, and some 235 years later, remains inhabited by the descendants of Bounty’s crew.
The vast majority of islanders today live in the east of Pitcairn by Bounty Bay.
It lies 1,350 miles from Tahiti, more than 3,000 miles from New Zealand, and 9,000 miles from Tamar’s home base of Portsmouth, but is a UK Overseas Territory with a Governor based in Wellington, New Zealand.
Torika Christian, a resident and family member, by marriage, of the descendants of lead mutineer Fletcher Christian, said it “meant so much” for the islands residents.
“It was wonderful to have the Royal Navy here in Pitcairn,” he said. “It means so much to us to have this support for the Island, particularly in destroying the historic explosives, which were a threat to our island’s pristine environment. We’ve enjoyed having the Royal Navy here, and we can’t wait for them to come back!”
Rachael Midlen, the island’s Administrator said: “It’s been great to welcome the Royal Navy back to Pitcairn for the third time in four years.
“The Island shares a deep bond with the Navy that comes not only from the history of HMS Bounty but from the maritime security operations supporting our important Marine Protected Area.”
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