MetalCraft Marine

Hazmat crews from East Providence and Providence Fire Departments, using MetalCraft Marine FireStorm CBRN-equipped fireboats, work to secure fishing boat after mustard gas leak injures one fisherman and contaminates the dragger.

The military used the ocean as a dumping ground for munitions from after World War II through 1970. While the tons of old chemical weapons in offshore waters present a danger to fishermen, experts don't believe they are a possible source of weapons for terrorists.

The Atlantic City, N.J.-based vessel was fishing Sunday in a charted munitions dumping zone, but the designation is just a warning and carries no fishing restrictions, Rhodes said.

The two shells � about a foot long and three inches in diameter � came aboard in a haul of clams. The Coast Guard believes one of the shells cracked or otherwise leaked its contents.