Nick the nomad discovers unexploded bomb
Published Monday 26 October 2015
Nick Vasicek from Port Douglas is a well known explorer and adventurer in the region and during his latest adventure has stumbled upon something near Cape Melville that has authorities scratching their heads. Police and the Defense Force have been engaged to make a decision on it’s removal.
No one can deny that Nick Vasicek is a colourful character full of adventure and stories. He’s lived in Port Douglas since 1996 and for him, the sea is his home. Prior to arriving in Port Douglas he lived at sea from 1988 to 1996 while raising his three children.
For Nick Vasicek AKA Nick Malachai, life is one big adventure. His latest walkabout, while being stuck at Cape Melville for 14 days due to strong wind warnings, had him stumbling upon something that, even for the hardcore explorer, had him stumped.
“I found an unexploded ordnance, that’s the professional name of an unexploded bomb, that is military. It’s a projectile that is shot out of a canon from a ship,” he said.
Taking a guess, Vasicek said it may be the result of target practice at Cape Melville during WWII and landed short into the sand on the beach close to the rocks but did not detonate.
“It’s been here over time and it was buried into the sand and didn’t go off and over time cyclones and erosion sucking up the sand has left it exposed sitting on it’s our pedestal of sand.
“The outer casing of the shrapnel has eroded off and what is left is just the hot metal holding the dust inside, the gun powder, it’s like a big bullet,” said Vasicek.
After video recording his find and measuring the size of the bomb, Vasicek noticed it was cooking hot from the sun.
“I had to be careful that the GoPro camera wifi didn’t set off any magnetic charge because they fizz,” he said.
Leaving Cape Melville two days after the find Vasicek arrived at Lizard Island. By chance he was able to advise the navy of his find and it was suggested he also contact police. After leaving Lizard Island Vasicek reported the find to the water police and the matter had them scratching their heads as well, advised Vasicek.
On returning to Port Dougals, Vasicek also reported the incident to the local police. He has since been interviewed by WIN News, the police and the police media and communications and defence force.
“The Port Douglas Police response was that they will get a navy bomb squad in and the Laura Hopevale Police will be going out to secure and mark the area,” he said.
It’s now out of the hands of Vasicek and in the hands of police and defence force authorities.
“I’ve offered the footage to them to show the landscape of its location and also, if they’re not too sure, I am on standby and I will go with them and show them where it is so they don’t waste any tax payers money trying to locate it,” he said.
With many adventures under his belt and yet many more to follow, this will not be the last time we will hear about this roaming nomads adventurous finds.
Without giving too much away, Vasicek said “I always find things I am not meant to find. I have a gift for finding things,” he said with a grin.
