For most, a day at Pepper Park Beach in Fort Pierce involves sunshine, snorkeling, and sandcastles. But for the St. Lucie County Bomb Squad, the first few weeks of 2026 have been a reminder that our coastline hides a volatile history.

In January 2026, a local scuba diver searching for lobsters stumbled upon a 12-pound cylindrical object partially buried in the reef. It wasn’t a Spanish doubloon or a piece of shipwreck; it was a live World War II-era mortar. Following a controlled detonation that sent sand and seawater sky-high, residents are asking: Why is this still happening 80 years after the war ended?

1. The Birthplace of the Navy SEALs

In 1943, the quiet beaches of Fort Pierce were transformed into the U.S. Naval Amphibious Training Base. This was the primary training ground for the Naval Combat Demolition Units (NCDUs) and Underwater Demolition Teams (UDTs)—the legendary “Frogmen” who were the direct predecessors of today’s Navy SEALs.

  • The Mission: These men were trained to clear beach obstacles and underwater defenses ahead of Allied invasions, most notably for the D-Day landings at Normandy.

  • The Training: To make the training realistic, the Navy used live explosives. Thousands of mortars, rockets, and demolition charges were fired into the surf and buried in the dunes to simulate a live battlefield.

2. Why the 2026 “Thaw” is Uncovering More Munitions

You might think eight decades would be enough time to clear the area, but the Atlantic Ocean is a restless curator.

  • Erosion & Renourishment: Significant beach erosion in early 2026, combined with the upcoming Fort Pierce Shore Protection Project (set for March 2026), is shifting millions of tons of sand. This “unburies” objects that have been dormant for decades.

  • The Pepper Park “Hot Zone”: Because Pepper Park sits directly on the former training grounds, it remains one of the most common spots for Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) discoveries.

3. Identifying “Rusty Treasure”

Wartime munitions rarely look like the shiny bombs in movies. After 80 years in salt water, they often resemble:

  • Encrusted Pipes: Many mortars look like rusted, barnacle-covered pipes or heavy metal cylinders.

  • Concretions: They may be fused to rocks or coral, making them look like natural seafloor formations.

  • The Danger: Despite their age, the chemical fillers in these devices can remain highly volatile. Movement, heat, or even simple friction can trigger a detonation.

What to Do if You Find a UXO

If you spot something suspicious while diving or walking the beach, follow the “3 Rs” of Explosive Safety:

  1. Recognize: Note the location. Do NOT touch, move, or disturb the object.

  2. Retreat: Carefully leave the area and keep others away.

  3. Report: Call 911 immediately. The St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office and the specialized EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) teams are experts at handling these “relics.”

Conclusion: A Living History Under the Surf

Fort Pierce carries its military heritage with pride—the National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum stands just yards away from where these devices are often found. While the 2026 “bomb squad season” might seem alarming, it is a testament to the rigorous, life-saving training that took place on our shores to win World War II. So, keep enjoying the blue waters of the Treasure Coast, but remember: the best treasure in Fort Pierce is the kind you report, not the kind you take home.