Blasting caps in harbor

Divers and bomb experts from state and local agencies on Wednesday removed six blasting caps found submerged in Huntington Harbour.

Investigators said it appears the explosives were intentionally placed in the water, but it isn’t known how or why.

“They definitely were not in the water by accident,” said Jim Amormino of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

Biological researchers found the blasting caps Tuesday while conducting a water-quality test, Amormino said. The caps, which are about the size of cigarettes, were spotted because they were attached to brightly colored wires about 10 feet long.

Six caps had been recovered by 3 p.m., and Amormino said divers will continue to search until they are confident all caps have been recovered.

“We take this investigation very seriously,” he said.

Amormino said the caps had been in the water for 24 to 48 hours, as indicated by the lack of corrosion to the wires. He said investigators do not believe the incident is terrorism-related.

The type of caps found are usually attached to larger explosive devices used by miners. Amormino said none of the six caps recovered were attached to any larger device. Each cap contains more explosive powder than an M-80 firework, he added.

Because the caps are dangerous to handle and unstable in saltwater, removing them demanded caution. Orange and Los Angeles counties’ sheriff’s department divers searched the harbor; once they spotted a cap, members of the agencies’ bomb squads retrieved it, Amormino said.

The caps do not pose a threat to homes or yachts in the area, but they could be dangerous to anyone swimming in the water.

“I’m glad they’re doing what they’re doing, and I’m sure the neighbors are too,” said Burt Willis, who lives close to where the explosives were found.

He said he was concerned by the blasting caps but confident the authorities would safely remove them.