Yachties Safe after Wandering in Minefield

2:43 AM Sun 7 Dec 2008 GMT

'Falklands - mines are scattered across the islands' .

Cruising sailors have many things to get nervous about, but usually being blown up by a land mine isn't one of them. Luckily, three crew members from the Belgium-flagged Yacht, VIA are safe and well tonight after wandering into a minefield near Kidney Island on East Falkland.

A frantic radio call by an unidentified voice was made to the yacht at approximately 1818 hrs on Saturday. The caller warned the yacht three times to get their people off the beach because it was in a recognised minefield and very dangerous.

Also on the scene was the M/V SEAQUEST operated by South Atlantic Marine Services. That vessel's owner and skipper, Mr Dave Eynon called Cable & Wireless via the radio and also contacted the Royal Falkland Islands Police as well as the Fisheries Department about the incident, saying that people were on the beach in a known minefield and needed assistance in getting out.

Falklands beach minefield - .. .

A search and Rescue Helicopter from 78 Squadron Mount Pleasant was scrambled to help remove the three crew but by the time they were at the VIA's location the three crew members had managed to get back aboard.

A further risk was taken by the three crew members by exiting the minefield without assistance, as the proper procedure is to stay put and wait for authorities to help.

In the Falklands it is an offence to enter a minefield and the incident is now in the hands of the Royal Falkland Islands Police.

Kidney Island, East Falkland - .. .

The 1982 conflict between Argentina and Britain resulted in thousands of mines being strewn across the islands, most of which were laid by Argentina. According to the Falklands' government, the islands contain over 16,000 mines in 101 minefields, covering a total of 20 sq km. The United Nations reports that nine different types of mines were used in the conflict, coming from Israel, Italy, Spain, the United States and Argentina. All of the minefields in the Falklands have been marked off and are well-labeled.

Britain has signed an international treaty to clear the Falklands of landmines by next year, but apparently will not do so. In 1997 the UK signed the Ottawa convention banning landmines which also imposed a duty to clear the weapons.

The British government will ask more than one hundred other countries which ratified the treaty for another 10 more years.

Mike Summers is spokesman for the Islands Legislative Council. The nearest mines are just a five-minute drive away from his office in the capital Stanley.

'You see beautiful sand hills... surrounded with barbed wire with all sorts of mine signs on, saying it's very dangerous,' he said.

by Juanita Brock, FINN/Sail-World