Work is finally under way to remove an unexploded device located near a North Sea oil platform.
The suspected depth charge was discovered in the vicinity of the Ninian Central platform during a routine visual inspection in August.
A military explosives expert said it could have the same explosive power as a car bomb.
The platform, situated east of Shetland, is owned by Canadian oil firm CNR International and currently has about 200 people on board.
CNR previously said the ordnance device would wait out the winter before being removed in the second quarter of 2018.
Yesterday it confirmed the removal process had begun.
The company said it was working closely with a specialist marine company and that it expected the device to be gone by the end of June.
It said the device had been classed as “safe” in its present location and that there was “minimal risk to personnel and infrastructure”.
A spokeswoman for CNR said: “We have advised personnel on Ninian Central of its planned timing for removal, and will continue to maintain a dialogue with platform personnel.
“In addition, the company has advised all relevant authorities of their plan, and will continue this engagement.”
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