www.mcdoa.org.uk

MINE WARFARE AND DIVING

VOLUME 2 NUMBER 2 1 JULY 1992

MCM Trawlers in the Falklands - Page 10

Official Use Only www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk MINEWARFARE AND DIVING THE MAGAZINE OF THE MINEWARFARE AND DIVING COMMUNITY

Front Cover: Two MSA's conducting a light line transfer in the South Atlantic.

VOLUME 2 NUMBER 2 1 JULY 1992

CONTENTS EDITORIAL STAFF

Foreword by The First Sea Lord 1 Sponsor: Cdr. G. Goodwin Publisher: Cdr. P.J. Gale Managing Editor: Lt. Cdr. S.C.L. Nicholson Editorial 2 Deputy Editor: S/Lt. J. Turnbull MW Editors: Lt. A. Dann and WO(MW) R. Dean Diver Sub Branch 3 Diving Editors: Lt. M. Warlow and WO(D) P.Still Assistant Editor: CPO(MW) R. Turner 5 Overseas Editor: Lt. J. Acton Lee Splash Diving Reporter: AB(D) K. Amaira MW Reporter: PO(MW) P. Campbell Minesweeping Historical 7 Photographers: Mr. M. Pavey & SMOPS Phot Section Line Scanning: Lt. Cdr. R. Hoole Minewarfare Reporter 8 Editorial Offices: MDT Department of SMOPS HMS NELSON (GUNWHARF) Portsmouth, Hampshire, P01 3HH Bon Voyage 9 Telephone: 0705-822351 Ext: 24004 Facsimile: 0705-822351 Ext: 24705 Falklands Remembered 11 MINEWARFARE AND DIVING is published The Warfare Branch Development 13 twice-annually by the MDT Department of The History of Diving 15 SMOPS on behalf of the Director of Naval Warfare, Ministry of Defence. Diving Work-up 18 Service units requesting copies of the Magazine Diving Reporter 20 should forward their applications to the Director of Letters to the Editor 21 Naval Warfare, CIO The Editorial Offices, address as above. Contributions of Minewarfare or Diving Look What Taff;s Doing Now! 22 interest and correspondence are invited and should Safety from Explosive Hazard 23 be addressed to the same location.

Superintendent of Diving's Report 25 This Magazine is issued by the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence for Official Use Only. The 27 ROV contents are not to be released to the public and Mine Avoidance 31 are not to be discussed with the Press or anyone outside the Military Services without the specific Notes From The Warfare Office 33 authority of the Directorate of Naval Warfare, United Kingdom Ministry of Defence.

© Crown Copyright www.mcdoa.org.uk

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1611(d, 1611(d,

class reputation as real professionals in a difficult and dangerous area; work hard to keep it. it. keep to hard work area; dangerous and difficult a in professionals real as reputation class

for training and safety my message is simple: do not let the standards drop. To all of you I say: you enjoy a first first a enjoy you say: I you of all To drop. standards the let not do simple: is message my safety and training for

enthusiasm and level of professionalism shown by everyone regardless of age or rank. To those of you responsible responsible you of those To rank. or age of regardless everyone by shown professionalism of level and enthusiasm

During my recent visit to the Fleet Diving Group at Gunwharf last month I was most impressed by the the by impressed most was I month last Gunwharf at Group Diving Fleet the to visit recent my During

these high standards. standards. high these

operational effectiveness of the minewalfare and diving specialisations and I urge you all to work hard to maintain maintain to hard work to all you urge I and specialisations diving and minewalfare the of effectiveness operational

operations as an integral part of Fleet operations. The success of these operations was due to the high level of of level high the to due was operations these of success The operations. Fleet of part integral an as operations

clearance operations during and post hostilities which greatly enhanced the status of minewaifare and EOD EOD and minewaifare of status the enhanced greatly which hostilities post and during operations clearance

deploy and can have devastating consequences. The Royal Navy played the leading part in mine hunting and and hunting mine in part leading the played Navy Royal The consequences. devastating have can and deploy

served to demonstrate that the mine was one such weapon which is widely available, relatively cheap, easy to to easy cheap, relatively available, widely is which weapon such one was mine the that demonstrate to served

Despite Anns Control Initiatives the proliferation of weapons continues apace and events in the Gulf War War Gulf the in events and apace continues weapons of proliferation the Initiatives Control Anns Despite

indicate that some of these conflicts are very close to home. home. to close very are conflicts these of some that indicate

proliferation in many regions of the world. The sources of unrest are numerous and a look at the world today will will today world the at look a and numerous are unrest of sources The world. the of regions many in proliferation

war, we in the military are only too aware of the potential dangers posed by political instability and arms arms and instability political by posed dangers potential the of aware too only are military the in we war,

Although the events of the Former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe have reduced the risk of immediate immediate of risk the reduced have Europe Eastern and Union Soviet Former the of events the Although

First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff Staff Naval of Chief and Lord Sea First

Admiral Sir Julian Oswald GCB, ADC ADC GCB, Oswald Julian Sir Admiral www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk MINE WARFARE AND DIVING

EDITORIAL

"Uncertainty" has been the watchword for many of us during the past months due in no small part to unsubstantiated rumours, prophets of doom and requests for impact statements concerning possible manpower reductions. Whatever the final outcome may be a continued high level of minewarfare capability remains foremost in the priorities for the future Royal Navy. This magazine provides a vehicle to allow those of us who are sub-specialised in minewarfare and or diving to express opinions and possibly more importantly to publish our achievements.

Events of note during the past six months include the disbanding of the Fourth (Blackfoot) Squadron, a reorganisation of the chain of command for the Superintendent of Diving so that he now comes under COMMW, and the allocation of two Hunt Class to Fishery Protection duties. The Second Squadron deployed to the Mediterranean between May to July which hopefully will provide some good articles for the next edition of MAD. The closure of Gunwharf has been further complicated by the temporary relocation of CGRM to Creasy building from early '93 until their permanent new site on Whale Island is ready. The present plan is that the Minewarfare school and Maritime Trade will move to HMS DOLPHIN, the Diving school to Horsea and all should be completed by mid 1995.

The lions share of the credit for the production of this edition of MAD must go to S/LT George Turnbull who has managed to retain some of the Careyisms needed for the task and to Mr Raymond Tindle of Bourne Press for providing timely professional advice. The editorial team are very grateful to all who have contributed to this edition. Unfortunately due to our inability to advertise Janes Information Group were unable to fund a copy of Janes Fighting Ships for Lt Cdr Mansbridge's article in the last edition and the editorial team apologies for this disappointment. We are currently investigating a Service source of funding for prizes and it is hoped that more of you will find time to compose articles and/or to report newsworthy events.

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Continued overleaf overleaf Continued

as there are no female facilities available in these ships. You will will You ships. these in available facilities female no are there as

is the reason why we cannot accept WRNS as Divers at the moment moment the at Divers as WRNS accept cannot we why reason the is

hunters only. There are no Divers serving in Tons. This incidentally incidentally This Tons. in serving Divers no are There only. hunters

c: c: Employment: Employment: Divers serve at sea in Hunt and Sandown class mine mine class Sandown and Hunt in sea at serve Divers

ratio by comparison with other sub branches and branches. branches. and branches sub other with comparison by ratio

b: b: Sea/Shore Ratio: Ratio: Sea/Shore The Diver sub branch enjoys a very high shore shore high very a enjoys branch sub Diver The

Richard Geary in Pretty Woman) and quite unrepeatable. unrepeatable. quite and Woman) Pretty in Geary Richard

the over 5 year rate the amount is clearly 'obscene' (to quote quote (to 'obscene' clearly is amount the rate year 5 over the

advancement to LS(D). For those on Group 5 (supervisors) enjoying enjoying (supervisors) 5 Group on those For LS(D). to advancement

diving pay per day (Group 3) rising to £11.87 (Group 4) on on 4) (Group £11.87 to rising 3) (Group day per pay diving

time and the AB(D) Task Book, the confirmed AB(D) receives £7.00 £7.00 receives AB(D) confirmed the Book, Task AB(D) the and time

a: a: Pay: Pay: Having passed AB(D) PQC course, completed 6 months sea sea months 6 completed course, PQC AB(D) passed Having

The main selling points to aid you head hunters are probably: probably: are hunters head you aid to points selling main The

completion of course. course. of completion

an an attempt is made to recruit successful Ships' Diver candidates on on candidates Diver Ships' successful recruit to made is attempt

branch but do these always filter down to the right level? In addition. addition. In level? right the to down filter always these do but branch

sponsors an annual FTM and and FTM annual an sponsors HTM HTM to encourage ratings to join the sub sub the join to ratings encourage to

about going on the offensive before they do. The Diving School School Diving The do. they before offensive the on going about

people so do not suffer any pangs of conscience or ethical misgivings misgivings ethical or conscience of pangs any suffer not do so people

number of other branches and sub branches are feeling the pinch for for pinch the feeling are branches sub and branches other of number

others looking for some proper action. As mentioned previously, a a previously, mentioned As action. proper some for looking others

Press Gang recruiting among your Ships' Diving Teams and any any and Teams Diving Ships' your among recruiting Gang Press

of positive encouragement is necessary, bordering on aggressive aggressive on bordering necessary, is encouragement positive of

So, enough of the sales pitch I hear yousay, what can we do? A degree degree A do? we can what yousay, hear I pitch sales the of enough So,

unthinkable and unacceptable. unacceptable. and unthinkable

and costly training unless we lower our standards. Clearly this is is this Clearly standards. our lower we unless training costly and

will experience large failure rates, suffer immaturity and waste valuable valuable waste and immaturity suffer rates, failure large experience will former is specific to Divers. The main points are summarised overleaf: overleaf: summarised are points main The Divers. to specific is former

process. Should we return to the direct entry route it is likely that we we that likely is it route entry direct the to return we Should process. reference is BR 8748 article 0302 although this is broad brush only; the the only; brush broad is this although 0302 article 8748 BR is reference

invariably had some experience of naval life and grown up in the the in up grown and life naval of experience some had invariably matters but it may be some time before the word gets through. Another Another through. gets word the before time some be may it but matters

other branches who, apart from bringing a skill with them, have have them, with skill a bringing from apart who, branches other draft change to BR 1066 article 1005 in the wind which should improve improve should which wind the in 1005 article 1066 BR to change draft

branch has always been the high standard of young men taken in from from in taken men young of standard high the been always has branch The admin process required is not crystal clear, however, there is a a is there however, clear, crystal not is required process admin The

training philosophy and employment. Part of the strength of the sub sub the of strength the of Part employment. and philosophy training

however, this is not a simple answer and will bring about changes in in changes about bring will and answer simple a not is this however, speak for themselves. themselves. for speak

One suggested solution is the reintroduction of the direct entry diver, diver, entry direct the of reintroduction the is solution suggested One action; the honours lists after the Falklands and the Gulf actions actions Gulf the and Falklands the after lists honours the action;

the Special Forces and be guaranteed to be in the forefront of any any of forefront the in be to guaranteed be and Forces Special the

Clearly something must be done to whip up some custom. custom. some up whip to done be must something Clearly corps. There are opportunities for Divers to parachute, work alongside alongside work parachute, to Divers for opportunities are There corps.

realising Ships' Diver volunteers from the WRNS categories either. either. categories WRNS the from volunteers Diver Ships' realising branch is known for its professionalism, adaptability and esprit de de esprit and adaptability professionalism, its for known is branch

are not allowed to recruit from these. Mixed manned ships are not not are ships manned Mixed these. from recruit to allowed not are e: e: Job Satisfaction: Satisfaction: Job Always a difficult one to quantify but the sub sub the but quantify to one difficult a Always

of other branches and sub branches are listed as being short and we we and short being as listed are branches sub and branches other of

thus the size of the pool of potential recruits. Another is that a number number a that is Another recruits. potential of pool the of size the thus Maldives for 2 months to teach the locals to dive. dive. to locals the teach to months 2 for Maldives

of the Fleet which has reduced the requirement for Ships' Divers and and Divers Ships' for requirement the reduced has which Fleet the of to Saudi Arabia and Canada and one lucky PO(D) is off to the the to off is PO(D) lucky one and Canada and Arabia Saudi to

gets better. Reasons for the shortfall include the reduction in the size size the in reduction the include shortfall the for Reasons better. gets other places too hot to mention. This year training teams have gone gone have teams training year This mention. to hot too places other

approximately 10% of of 10% approximately AB AB Divers which is likely to get worse before it it before worse get to likely is which Divers Cyprus, Turkey, Canada, Bermuda, Dubai, Denmark, Sicily and and Sicily Denmark, Dubai, Bermuda, Canada, Turkey, Cyprus,

numbers above Leading Seaman Diver, there is a current shortfall of of shortfall current a is there Diver, Seaman Leading above numbers d: d: Travel: Travel: Last year units of the Fleet Diving Group deployed to to deployed Group Diving Fleet the of units year Last

Although the Diver sub branch is healthy with respect to required required to respect with healthy is branch sub Diver the Although

ladies. ladies.

their chances as a professional. professional. a as chances their keep the Ships Diver candidates coming in and that includes the the includes that and in coming candidates Diver Ships the keep

branch needs your help in recruiting suitable young men to take take to men young suitable recruiting in help your needs branch primarily concerned with the Diver sub branch, there is a need to to need a is there branch, sub Diver the with concerned primarily

the sub branch or potential members still paddling. The Diver sub sub Diver The paddling. still members potential or branch sub the been very impressed with the standard. Although this article is is article this Although standard. the with impressed very been

This article is directed at all Divers, whether existing members of of members existing whether Divers, all at directed is article This know that we have trained some WRNS as Ships' Divers and have have and Divers Ships' as WRNS some trained have we that know

DIVER? DIVER?

Lieutenant Commander Holloway Holloway Commander Lieutenant

DO YOU WANT TO BE A A BE TO WANT YOU DO

Diver Sub Branch Branch Sub Diver www.mcdoa.org.uk

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Continued from previous page

HOW TO JOIN THE DIVER SUB BRANCH 8. A candidate name is to be withdrawn if the continuity of his VG Conduct is broken after recommendation or if for any reason the 1. The Diver sub branch is open to any RN rating (and hopefully RM rating is no longer considered suitable for the Diver sub branch. in the future) at all rates i.e. Able, Leading, PO or Chief, however Withdrawal must be notified to the Commodore HMS CENTURION each must revert to A/AB(D) on completion of the AB(D) Diver PQC. and to The Commander, MDT Department of SMOPS, HMS As you can imagine this tends to discourage all but ABs and NELSON (Gunwharf). A rating may reapply for transfer 6 months Leaders. after restoration of his VG Conduct; if approved by the rating's commanding officer, it will not be necessary to reapply for the 2. New entry to the Diver sub branch is in abeyance but remains an aptitude course unless the two year period has lapsed. option which will be ordered should circumstances dictate its 9. In accordance with BR 1066 Article 0311(1d), ratings will remain in necessity. their present Branch until successful completion of the Diver sub branch professional qualifying course. Ratings who fail the course 3. Normal selection is by late entry from male rating volunteers of all will remain in their present Branch or sub branch. Transfer to the branches and sub branches. (When appropriate sea billets in mine Diver sub branch will take place as shown below. countermeasures vessels have been identified, applications for transfer to the Diver sub branch from WRNS ratings will be Diver considered.) All applicants should be advised they will be reverted sub branch to NAB on successful completion of the Diver sub branch professional course qualifying course.

4. All volunteers must meet the required medical standard for Divers Ops Branch Non Ops Branch as laid down in BR 1750A The Handbook of Naval Medical Standards, AB and above AB and above have 6 months VG Conduct and have 18 months left to serve on completion of the Diver sub branch professional qualifying course. Volunteers are expected to have previously qualified as ships' Part II divers before applying for transfer although exceptional cases will Seamanship be considered where, for example, an individual has previous diving experience and is in possession of a sports or professional diver qualification. Due to the physical nature of the training, preference Acting Able will be given to applicants between the ages of 20-25, although Seaman (Diver) volunteers outside this age group will be considered. iaw 0311

5. On receiving a request "for transfer to the Diver sub branch", a rating's commanding officer should satisfy himself that the individual a. Complete AB(D) Task Book has a strong sense of responsibility, is reliable, is able to produce a b. Six months Sea Service high standard of work unsupervised and is suitable for service in c. Commanding Officers Recommendation small ships. A candidate will not be accepted for the 5 day Diver aptitude course unless he shows these qualities. A recommendation nominating a candidate for aptitude course should be fully supported Confirmed AB(D) by the rating's recorded service history.

6.When the commanding officer is satisfied that a candidate meets the Then as in Diagram 10b initial criteria, application for the Diver aptitude course should be made on the rating's behalf to The Commander, MDT Department of SMOPS, HMS NELSON (Gunwharf), Portsmouth, Hants P01 10. Ratings of the Operations Branch (Seaman Group) who attain the 3HH. The application is to include certified copies of the ratings full rate of Acting or Confirmed Leading Seaman before transfer will Service Documents with Form C2641 written up for the occasion. If not be required to recomplete Task Book 2 Seamanship or the selected, the rating will be allocated a place on the 5 day Diver sub Seamanship WPE when readvancing to the Leading Rate in the branch aptitude course comprising a series of tests listed in BR 2806 Diver sub branch. Completion of Diver Task Book 2 and WPE will Article 3106.2 and joining instructions will be issued. In the event a be necessary to attain a full pass, Seamanship will be reflected as nominee is not selected for aptitude course, a letter explaining the previously passed. reasons will be forwarded to the unit concerned. 7. The result of the aptitude course will be reported to the parent unit. So that's it; get hot; go out and round 'em up. Seriously, if you have any If the candidate has been successful and remains a volunteer, recruiting ideas please drop a line to the school so we can all have a further application by he parent unit to the Commodore HMS good laugh. CPO(D) TEMPEST is available on Dkyd 24535 in the CENTURION is necessary to establish drafting clearance and to Diving Planning Office should you need details of diving courses, nominate the individual for the next available Diver professional aptitudes, time of day... qualifying course. No action will be taken to draft a rating to course until this application has been received when, providing there are no manning objections, the candidate's name will be placed on a waiting list. The aptitude course result will remain valid for a period of two years and a copy of the acceptance letter is to be placed with the candidates Service Documents.

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Continued overleaf overleaf Continued

my lightweight dry bag and swimming trunks! trunks! swimming and bag dry lightweight my

remark over a pint. pint. a over remark

he said we'd be using a swimming pool for this training. I shivered in in shivered I training. this for pool swimming a using be we'd said he

It started as these things often do, with a casual casual a with do, often things these as started It mock-up harness. I thought back to Paul Leaders briefing. I'm sure that that sure I'm briefing. Leaders Paul to back thought I harness. mock-up

Poole harbour looked particularly uninviting as I clipped myself into the the into myself clipped I as uninviting particularly looked harbour Poole

Bag for the first time! time! first the for Bag

fully trained parachutists encountering the delights of a Pussers Dry- Pussers a of delights the encountering parachutists trained fully

The experience, however, was worth it, if only to see all the confident, confident, the all see to only if it, worth was however, experience, The

for the malicious pleasure of the instructional staff. staff. instructional the of pleasure malicious the for

water by an open parachute. I'm still not convinced that it wasn't purely purely wasn't it that convinced not still I'm parachute. open an by water

an attempt to simulate the experience of being hauled through the the through hauled being of experience the simulate to attempt an

the 'buggerance' factor. We were to be dragged behind a Searider in in Searider a behind dragged be to were We factor. 'buggerance' the

afternoon 'session'. As with all military courses we had to experience experience to had we courses military all with As 'session'. afternoon

The warmth of the hanger was swopped for Poole harbour for the the for harbour Poole for swopped was hanger the of warmth The

confidence. confidence.

took us under his wing during the lunch break and re-established our our re-established and break lunch the during wing his under us took

our enthusiasm, although fears were alleviated when the No2 Instructor Instructor No2 the when alleviated were fears although enthusiasm, our

them. A briefing on the numerous things that could go wrong dampened dampened wrong go could that things numerous the on briefing A them.

quickly and were soon leaping around the hanger with the best of of best the with hanger the around leaping soon were and quickly

sleeves! As usual, however, the Diving Branch representatives learnt learnt representatives Branch Diving the however, usual, As sleeves!

of knowledge, not to mention the absence of parachute wings on our our on wings parachute of absence the mention to not knowledge, of

jumping into the sea. Within 2 minutes were conspicuous by our lack lack our by conspicuous were minutes 2 Within sea. the into jumping

a conversion course for experienced parachutists to prepare them for for them prepare to parachutists experienced for course conversion a

Ground training proved to be quite an experience. It turned out to be be to out turned It experience. an quite be to proved training Ground

travelling west to Poole for an introduction to wet parachute jumping. jumping. parachute wet to introduction an for Poole to west travelling

Cdr. Stuart McAlear, LS(D) John Meakin and LS(D) Jock Elrick Elrick Jock LS(D) and Meakin John LS(D) McAlear, Stuart Cdr.

So it was that December 3rd found me in a Landrover together with Lt. Lt. with together Landrover a in me found 3rd December that was it So

viewings of Terminator 2 (who better than Arnie to put you in the mood mood the in you put to Arnie than better (who 2 Terminator of viewings

DOLPHIN. After numerous cups of tea, a tour of the SETT and 2 2 and SETT the of tour a tea, of cups numerous After DOLPHIN.

"Oh marvellous" was my feeble response. response. feeble my was marvellous" "Oh anticipation! The time was spent as a guest of the SPAG from HMS HMS from SPAG the of guest a as spent was time The anticipation!

1300. A reprieve? Not a bit of it. Just 5 more hours of nervous nervous of hours more 5 Just it. of bit a Not reprieve? A 1300.

you out with all the details." details." the all with out you Hercules was frozen at RAF LYNHAM and wouldn't be on station until until station on be wouldn't and LYNHAM RAF at frozen was Hercules

jumping from DAEDALUS on the 12th. Paul Leader will sort sort will Leader Paul 12th. the on DAEDALUS from jumping omitted to put anti-freeze in the aircraft engines. As a result the the result a As engines. aircraft the in anti-freeze put to omitted

"The ground training is at Poole on 3rd December, you'll you'll December, 3rd on Poole at is training ground "The An RAF mechanic had failed to anticipate the low temperatures and and temperatures low the anticipate to failed had mechanic RAF An be be

parachuting. The cold weather, unfortunately, had affected the aircraft. aircraft. the affected had unfortunately, weather, cold The parachuting.

included in the jump. jump. the in included The weather was particularly cold, however, otherwise ideal for for ideal otherwise however, cold, particularly was weather The

arranged for the forthcoming LEE-SPLASH. I was to be be to was I LEE-SPLASH. forthcoming the for arranged

Steve, as always true to his word, telephoned to say that all all that say to telephoned word, his to true always as Steve, December. December.

That was the last I expected to hear about parachuting until until parachuting about hear to expected I last the was That mustering at Overlord Hanger, HMS DAEDALUS, at 0730 on 12th 12th on 0730 at DAEDALUS, HMS Hanger, Overlord at mustering

That was the easy bit over. The next part of the exercise involved involved exercise the of part next The over. bit easy the was That

times before. before. times

(01C FDU1) to a request he'd doubtless received numerous numerous received doubtless he'd request a to FDU1) (01C Swanage Bay! Bay! Swanage

"OK, I'll bear it in mind" was the response by Steve Marshall Marshall Steve by response the was mind" in it bear I'll "OK, the tide and having to be rescued by the boat before being swept into into swept being before boat the by rescued be to having and tide the

LS(D) Elrick embarrassed the branch by failing to swim back against against back swim to failing by branch the embarrassed Elrick LS(D)

the sea, Steve, I'd love to have a go." go." a have to love I'd Steve, sea, the the team repeated the evolution with varying degrees of success. success. of degrees varying with evolution the repeated team the

"If there's ever a spare place when you're parachuting into into parachuting you're when place spare a ever there's "If then slipped the shoulder strap. Nothing to it! One by one the rest of of rest the one by One it! to Nothing strap. shoulder the slipped then

instructor! I waited for what seemed like a prudent amount of time and and time of amount prudent a like seemed what for waited I instructor!

a pint of beer. beer. of pint a my head 12 inches underwater it was proving pretty difficult to see the the see to difficult pretty proving was it underwater inches 12 head my

It It started. as these things often do, with a casual remark over over remark casual a with do, often things these as started. to drop his hand and then slip the harness" were the instructions. With With instructions. the were harness" the slip then and hand his drop to

A quick jerk and I was pulled out of my reverie. "Wait for the instructor instructor the for "Wait reverie. my of out pulled was I and jerk quick A

1,0 1,0

ifrA Pkv ifrA

ii? ii?

by Phil Burrell Burrell Phil by www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk LEE SPLASH

Continued from previous page

The aircraft turned for its approach run. Lee-on-Solent appeared below and gave way to the Solent.

"Red On", "Green On", Go, Go, Go I was dead, no I was alive— the parachute was open. What a glorious sight. I took a few seconds to admire the view before practising steering the canopy. All too soon it was time to turn into wind and prepare for landing, or is it splashdown? The entry to the water was remarkably smooth and the parachute was

An RAF mechanic had failed to anticipate the low temperatures and omitted to put anti-freeze in the aircraft engines.

for parachuting?) it was confirmed that the aircraft had defrosted and would be available on time. We returned to DAEDALUS, drew 4 parachutes and reserves and got kilted up. The plan was to make 4 jumps, 3 day and 1 night, and to save time on turn around between jumps all gear was to be prepared in advance. I wore a lightweight dry- bag, hood, training shoes, knife and fins in addition to the parachutes and lifejacket. The knife was in pristine condition having been specially sharpened should the need to slash parachute shrouds arise. We were organised into 'sticks' with between 4 and 6 jumpers in each group. We 4 novice jumpers formed stock No 4 with the heaviest. LS(D) ELRICK, as No 1 in the stick.

After a very comprehensive briefing from the RAF Parachute Jump Instructor (PJI) we were ordered to embark. We all piled into the back of the aircraft and strapped ourselves in. The ramp closed, the engine revolutions increased and we were off.

All too quickly we achieved jump height of 1000 ft and preparations to jump commenced. The back doors were opened and the 1st stick were ordered to hook up. The stick was called forward to the ramp, "Red On", "Green On", Go, Go, Go, Go, Go, Go.

It was all over in seconds and the sky was full of parachutes. The process was repeated with Sticks 2 and 3. It was not our turn. By this stage I had decided that there was no going back. We carried out final slipped just as in training. The pick-up boats were on hand immediately checks on each other before being called forward to the ramp. to recover us and return us to the mother craft. Once all 5 sticks had jumped we were returned to the shore ready for the next jump.

"The 2nd jump is much worse than the 1st" or so I'd been told. It wasn't too bad until the aircraft took off. I then understood what people had been talking about. This time when I jumped things didn't go quite as smoothly as with the 1st jump. The parachute rigging lines had twists • • • THE THIRD THE ITS NON-! in them which caused momentary concern, however, I was able to kick RIEF2ING CO(..D - RAU< out of them, just as we'd been shown in training, and the descent WITH AS PM-I!! DEA1I AT continued without further incident. MY 151.1344 A THISAND Rik Air FMT" By now time was getting on and it was decided that the 3rd and final 7e- jump would be a night jump. It was for me by farthe best of the 3 jumps. My senses were now fully heightened and I had a good appreciation of what was going on. The experience of jumping into a black void was invigorating to say the least. Tp" It was over. All gear was all stowed and I returned home to "dit the wife to death" with tales of bravado and excitement. I am extremely grateful to Steve Marshall for giving me the opportunity to participate in the exercise. `To dit the wife to death'

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form the new ship H.M.S. ZUBIAN. ZUBIAN. H.M.S. ship new the form

were salvaged and welded together to to together welded and salvaged were mines were still there. there. still were mines

NUBIAN. The bow and stern halves halves stern and bow The NUBIAN. seas. Not however total control. The The control. total however Not seas.

destroyers H.M.S. ZULU and H.M.S. H.M.S. and ZULU H.M.S. destroyers Royal Navy had virtual control of the the of control virtual had Navy Royal

Another two casualties were the two two the were casualties two Another home waters for the rest of the war. The The war. the of rest the for waters home

German Navy was imprisoned in their their in imprisoned was Navy German

in Ireland. Ireland. in be pitted against dreadnought. The The dreadnought. against pitted be

west coast of Scotland and Loch Swilly Swilly Loch and Scotland of coast west of the war. No longer would dreadnought dreadnought would longer No war. the of

Scapa Flow to safer anchorages on the the on anchorages safer to Flow Scapa This was to be the last greet fleet action action fleet greet last the be to was This

to move the entire Grand Fleet, from from Fleet, Grand entire the move to

periscope, led Admiral Sir John Jellicoe Jellicoe John Sir Admiral led periscope, by a mine in the early morning. morning. early the in mine a by

This combined with a sighting of a a of sighting a with combined This dreadnought OSTFRIESLAND, crippled crippled OSTFRIESLAND, dreadnought

keeping it a secret until after the war. war. the after until secret a it keeping into their harbours. The last ship in, the the in, ship last The harbours. their into

Such a loss shocked the Admiralty into into Admiralty the shocked loss a Such closed all night to let the German fleet fleet German the let to night all closed

huge Jade River locks had opened and and opened had locks River Jade huge

enough for all her crew to be rescued. rescued. be to crew her all for enough and headed home for Scapa Flow. The The Flow. Scapa for home headed and

tip of Ireland. She stayed afloat long long afloat stayed She Ireland. of tip 1916 the British grand fleet was turned turned was fleet grand British the 1916

the mine in a German minefield off the the off minefield German a in mine the On the morning of Thursday June 1st 1st June Thursday of morning the On

23,000 tons with 13.5" guns, she struck struck she guns, 13.5" with tons 23,000

A brand new dreadnought weighing in at at in weighing dreadnought new brand A through Horns Reef. Reef. Horns through

the surface, sank H.M.S. AUDACIOUS. AUDACIOUS. H.M.S. sank surface, the had turned and were heading for safety safety for heading were and turned had

explosive, a mine 10-15 feet beneath beneath feet 10-15 mine a explosive, ABDIEL was unaware that the Germans Germans the that unaware was ABDIEL

probably little more than 3501bs of of 3501bs than more little probably

mine field. With no escort for protection protection for escort no With field. mine END ALL WARS." WARS." ALL END

major victim of the sea mine. With With mine. sea the of victim major

H.M.S. ABDIEL to Horns Reef to sow a a sow to Reef Horns to ABDIEL H.M.S. has come a long way from the "WAR TO TO "WAR the from way long a come has

war still in it's infancy, came the first first the came infancy, it's in still war

escape, he sent his only minelayer minelayer only his sent he escape, recent events have shown, minewarfare minewarfare shown, have events recent

On the 27th of October 1914, with the the with 1914, October of 27th the On

estuary. To cover a less likely avenue of of avenue likely less a cover To estuary. squadrons turn out daily. However as as However daily. out turn squadrons

they reached the safety of the Jade Jade the of safety the reached they the little ships of todays minewarfare minewarfare todays of ships little the

bottom. More casualties were to follow. follow. to were casualties More bottom. the Grand Fleet to intercept them before before them intercept to Fleet Grand the still there. That is one small reason why why reason small one is That there. still

LUISE was caught and sent to the the to sent and caught was LUISE to have evaded him after the battle, took took battle, the after him evaded have to removed through the year, but some are are some but year, the through removed

her to a watery grave. The KONIGIN KONIGIN The grave. watery a to her Admiral Jellicoe, believing the Germans Germans the believing Jellicoe, Admiral The German mines have mostly been been mostly have mines German The

mine and sank. She took 131 men with with men 131 took She sank. and mine Even here the mine played a part. part. a played mine the here Even

light cruiser H.M.S. AMPHION, struck a a struck AMPHION, H.M.S. cruiser light

210 had not returned. returned. not had 210

Next morning the new British 3,500 ton ton 3,500 British new the morning Next

concerned. concerned. turned out every day! By the Armistice Armistice the By day! every out turned

her deadly cargo in the Thames estuary. estuary. Thames the in cargo deadly her

both sides, defeat also to a degree for all all for degree a to also defeat sides, both operations some 725 minesweepers minesweepers 725 some operations

LUISE slid out from Heligoland to sow sow to Heligoland from out slid LUISE

battle it was. Victory, in some ways for for ways some in Victory, was. it battle flotillas at the van. At the peak of of peak the At van. the at flotillas

German auxiliary minelayer KONIGIN KONIGIN minelayer auxiliary German

on the results, however a momentous momentous a however results, the on The little ships of the minesweeping minesweeping the of ships little The

On the first day of the war at sea the the sea at war the of day first the On

written on this battle, few have agreed agreed have few battle, this on written Still the navy was there doing it's job. job. it's doing there was navy the Still

Many articles and books have been been have books and articles Many

them were 588 British ships. ships. British 588 were them

Navy. Navy.

one million tons of shipping. Amongst Amongst shipping. of tons million one

JUTLAND. JUTLAND. distrust the capabilities of the Royal Royal the of capabilities the distrust

The remaining mines accounting for for accounting mines remaining The

would give the battle it's name name it's battle the give would

this served to make the British public public British the make to served this

Dutch coast, near a peninsula which which peninsula a near coast, Dutch War, Lord Kitchner. Along with Jutland Jutland with Along Kitchner. Lord War,

Royal Navy dealt with over 30,000. 30,000. over with dealt Navy Royal The place, some 85 miles east of the the of east miles 85 some place, The Great Britain's Secretary of State for for State of Secretary Britain's Great

1914 to 1918. During that time the the time that During 1918. to 1914 High Seas Fleet were destined to meet meet to destined were Fleet Seas High

the rest drowned. Amongst them was was them Amongst drowned. rest the

43,000 mines in the four years from from years four the in mines 43,000 British Grand Fleet and the German German the and Fleet Grand British sank. Only 12 of hercrew of 655 survived, survived, 655 of hercrew of 12 Only sank.

Imperial German Navy laid some some laid Navy German Imperial That is until the 31st of May 1916. The The 1916. May of 31st the until is That Off the Orkneys she struck a mine and and mine a struck she Orkneys the Off

was in The First World War. The The War. World First The in was the war, but not many major fleet actions. actions. fleet major many not but war, the

HAMPSHIRE was on it's way to Russia. Russia. to way it's on was HAMPSHIRE

The first major use of the sea mine mine sea the of use major first The Many skirmishes occurred throughout throughout occurred skirmishes Many

One week after Jutland, H.M.S. H.M.S. Jutland, after week One

By PO(MW) S.W. Baillie Baillie S.W. PO(MW) By

GREAT WAR WAR GREAT

THE MINE IN THE THE IN MINE THE

www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk

Minewarfare Reporter

CPO(MW) Paul Cambell has taken over the reins as the MW reporter from PO(MW) Wally Vassie whose sea time exploits CONGRATULATIONS prevent him from keeping in active contact To "BARNEY" Barnett who was with the majority of the branch. Our thanks promoted to Warrant Officer (MW) on go to him for his sterling efforts to date the 31 March this year. Barney (whoops and we wish him all the best for the future. sorry) Mr Barnett moves on from Staff CPO (MW) to MCM 10 to take up his Paul is currently the staff CPO(MW) to MCM new appointment on the MCM desk of 10 a task which keeps him constantly on his COMMW. toes and takes him to the far reaches of the UK as he visits the many RNR units. There Congratulations are also in order for are undoubtedly untold tales to tell from that that other old man of the sea particular area of activity and we look forward "NORMAN" Blick. Norman was to deluge of "good yarns". selected for promotion to Warrant Officer at the recent sitting of the promotions board. He expects to be moving on to a new appointment in June. Best wishes for the future are extended • Minewarfare Reporter to them both. CPO (MW) Paul Cambell

The Sea Systems Sub-Committee on awards to inventors agreed to make an award of £110 to PO(MW) CASS RAWLINS for his suggestion of swaging the soft eye into the end of sweepwires, in place of the finger tearing task of splicing. In addition the HERERT LOTT Naval inventions trust fund committee also agree to make an additional award of £185 making a total of £295. PO RAWLINS made his recommendations in 1979 whilst serving in HMS ABDIEL.

• PO(MW) RAWLINS receives his award from CDR PJ GALE of MDT Portsmouth SCOTTISH HOSTAGE RELEASED Scottish Hostage, Steve Gobey, today admitted that he was surprised at his selection for release. He told reporters that he had not been informed by his captors that release was imminent. After 10 years of incarceration in the bleak wilds of Fifeshire, he is to be liberated to the sunnier, but even bleaker, wastes of Canada in late March 1992. Asked whether he was looking forward to being fre again he replied "Seee y000 Whally, in Canada, Eh!" Steve told reporters that he would not miss the cold, wet, dark, drab drives to Rosyth dockyard on winter mornings, and was more than happy to swap this for even colder, wetter, crowded bus rides into the industrial wastes of Hull, Quebec. Especially in sub zero temperatures. Dr. Dan Nicholson, a leading Canadian psychoanalyst, confirmed that Gobey was not suffering from any after effects of continued isolation. He added that Steve had been advised to keep a low profile between now and his actual release date from Scotland, "Assagais are known to travel around corners and still hit you between the shoulder blades", he commented. On the domestic scene, it is remoured that Dr.Nicholson has succeeded in reserving a four bedroom igloo on the frozen Ottawa river for the Gobey family, "This will be OK until May when it all melts", he said. There is nowhere else for the Gobey family to stay when BDLS kicks them out of their hotel after 2 weeks. The big advantage of the igloo, of course, is that they will not need to bring a freezer with them and they and they can skate to the nearest Macdonalds. When Gobey was assked if he had made any other decisions about his future he replied, "No, but as it's a MOD job I'm not expecting to make any decisions anyway!"

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he promised not to drink all at once. We wish him "Fair Winds" and "Good Luck" for the future. future. the for Luck" "Good and Winds" "Fair him wish We once. at all drink to not promised he

To mark the occasion of his final retirement Mick was presented with a silver hip flask filled with the appropriate spirit. Which Which spirit. appropriate the with filled flask hip silver a with presented was Mick retirement final his of occasion the mark To

a 2 year ES engagement he taught MCM procedures to Royal Saudi Forces and made a valuable contribution to that task. task. that to contribution valuable a made and Forces Saudi Royal to procedures MCM taught he engagement ES year 2 a

He was discharged to a full service pension in 1986 and took up civilian employment. Recalled to the service in May 1990 on on 1990 May in service the to Recalled employment. civilian up took and 1986 in pension service full a to discharged was He

the benefits of his experience and in depth professional knowledge to a large number of MW trainees. trainees. MW of number large a to knowledge professional depth in and experience his of benefits the

PO(MW) Luke also spent some considerable time at the Minewarfare section as an instructor, where he was able to pass on on pass to able was he where instructor, an as section Minewarfare the at time considerable some spent also Luke PO(MW)

BOSSINGTON and KELLINGTON. KELLINGTON. and BOSSINGTON

drafted to a complement billet in an MCMV. He went on to complete more sea time in HM Ships MAXTON (twice) (twice) MAXTON Ships HM in time sea more complete to on went He MCMV. an in billet complement a to drafted

He transferred to the newly formed Minewarfare Branch in 1975 and has the dubious claim to fame of being the first PO(MW) PO(MW) first the being of fame to claim dubious the has and 1975 in Branch Minewarfare formed newly the to transferred He

mandatory time at the "Alma Mater" HMS VERNON for advancement courses. courses. advancement for VERNON HMS Mater" "Alma the at time mandatory

ADAMANT, YARMOUTH, ORION, CROFTON, BERRYHEAD, GALATEA AND MERMAID. This was interspersed with the the with interspersed was This MERMAID. AND GALATEA BERRYHEAD, CROFTON, ORION, YARMOUTH, ADAMANT,

Luke has had a long and varied career which began as aJS2 in May 1959. He saw sea service in HM Ships TYNE, BERMUDA, BERMUDA, TYNE, Ships HM in service sea saw He 1959. May in aJS2 as began which career varied and long a had has Luke

The Minewarfare section of SMOPS said a final goodbye to an old friend PO(MW) "MICK" Luke in April of this year. PO(MW) PO(MW) year. this of April in Luke "MICK" PO(MW) friend old an to goodbye final a said SMOPS of section Minewarfare The

by George Turnbull Turnbull George by

LEAVING THE NAVY NAVY THE LEAVING

Bon Voyage Voyage Bon www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk Falklands Remembered THE FIRST MINE

By Martyn Holloway

In 1982 five Hull trawlers were Up until the time the otter slings arrived commissioned as Her Majesty's Ships we had been practising team sweeps in and joined the Falklands Task Force pairs, in threes and finally all five together. in the South Atlantic as As the ships continued South out of minesweepers. This article describes touch with the Task Force and their first encounter with a live mine. CINCFLEET, we heard the awful news of the loss of HMS SHEFFIELD on the A good diver has a healthy respect for World Service of the BBC and realised his environment and knows the how serious it might get. Work is the best shortcomings of his equipment. Who distraction and we busied ourselves will not admit to a slight quickening of the relearning Oropesa Formation GOLF pulse on first entry into the water; yet it and standard track turns by flag hoist is nothing like the burst of adrenalin I and flashing, being totally silent on voice experienced when my first live mine circuits after Ascension. dramatically presented itself. With the coming of precise navigation, I had been in the right place at the right formation Oropesa sweeping had time to be given the honour of generally fallen from favour and I was commanding the five trawlers of the glad that a recent 1st MCM Squadron Eleventh Mine Countermeasures exercise had refreshed the art. This took Squadron. Some of them had been me back to early minesweeper days in fishing when Argentina invaded the Malta with the 7th MCMS; Shays, Falklands in 1982 but all found `CHOKKA' the dog, Marsovin Special themselves suddenly hauled into Rosyth We had practised throughout for Reserve, Whitehall (T'pax Towers) for rapid conversion to a minesweeping silent operations Mansions... role. This in itself was something of a miracle and a testament to the foresight We adventured with QE2 in South and organisation of CMCM's SOO Ascension Island. Complete with some Georgia, avoided blue on blues off Teal Lieutenant Commander Phil Morton. DGUW(N) computer predicted float and inlet East Falkland (thanks Richard)"You Freezer lorries met the ships, the fish kite wire tables, the squadron now had a mean those rust buckets are warships holds were emptied, although we still vitally important precursor sweep and on our side?", transported those found dead fish some four months later, capability to clear those mines interesting gentlemen from Hereford and the freezer plan was decommissioned dangerous to the trawlers before using Poole and went Guinea Pig influence and filled with nitrogen, extra ballast was the WSMk 9 team sweep. minesweeping ("Excuse me sir, what put in and the ships were stored for war. does Directive Charlie mean?") before The spirit was unbelievable, imagine dockyard mateys asking what wanted doing and then getting on with the job before your very eyes. The ships were manned entirely by RN personnel drawn mainly from ships of the MCM Flotilla then in maintenance.

For sweep gear the trawlers were fitted out with the extra deep armed team sweep WSMk 9 which provided a 200 metre capability. After some quick thinking a deep double Oropesa sweep was devised using the enormous 'Jumbo' floats, theAlgerine multiplanes and some large heavy duty four legged Algerine otter slings which were hastily manufactured in Rosyth and delivered to the squadron most impressively by parachute some 150 miles South of

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Continued overleaf overleaf Continued

devised a Very pistol flare code to cope cope to code flare pistol Very a devised innumerable Highland Flings flooded flooded Flings Highland innumerable the midst of the helicopter activity, an an activity, helicopter the of midst the

apart from anything else, and had had and else, anything from apart best to spoil your day. Memories of of Memories day. your spoil to best recollection of what happened next. In In next. happened what of recollection

would knock out all communications, communications, all out knock would when you don't need one they do their their do they one need don't you when recounted afterwards a freeze frame frame freeze a afterwards recounted

reasoned that a close mine explosion explosion mine close a that reasoned you want one they cannot be found, and and found, be cannot they one want you NORTHELLA and number three in line line in three number and NORTHELLA

or shock hardening to speak of, we had had we of, speak to hardening shock or Helicopters are like policemen, when when policemen, like are Helicopters Commander) Jerry Greenop in in Greenop Jerry Commander)

As the trawlers had no damage control control damage no had trawlers the As Lieutenant Commander (now (now Commander Lieutenant

a helicopter arrived. arrived. helicopter a

next day this brought us near to disaster. disaster. to near us brought this day next CORDELLA stayed in safe water just as as just water safe in stayed CORDELLA blade in the process. process. the in blade

not thought to extend the distance. The The distance. the extend to thought not the order ready while making sure sure making while ready order the and had lost a couple of feet of rotor rotor of feet of couple a lost had and

togetherness of this arrangement I had had I arrangement this of togetherness minefields. I was busying myself getting getting myself busying was I minefields. from the front of FARNELLA's bridge bridge FARNELLA's of front the from

see the flat hoists. Comfortable with the the with Comfortable hoists. flat the see of some 65 degrees between the two two the between degrees 65 some of already chopped off the SATNAV aerial aerial SATNAV the off chopped already

on their next aheads' floats in order to to order in floats aheads' next their on an alteration of lap course or starboard starboard or course lap of alteration an wing. To prove the point, a Wessex had had Wessex a point, the prove To wing.

accustomed to taking stations close up up close stations taking to accustomed miles long and the sweep plan required required plan sweep the and long miles and drop the goodies onto the bridge bridge the onto goodies the drop and

operations and ships had been been had ships and operations sunrise. The first minefield was only four four only was minefield first The sunrise. helicopter had to hover between them them between hover to had helicopter

had practised throughout for silent silent for throughout practised had into the minefield at the moment of of moment the at minefield the into forward and after masts means that the the that means masts after and forward

communications for that matter). We We matter). that for communications advantage, stepped over the threshold threshold the over stepped advantage, to helicopter pilots as the location of the the of location the as pilots helicopter to

trawlers are not into UHF or much else in in else much or UHF into not are trawlers in a port formation sweeping to to sweeping formation port a in The trawlers were a great inconvenience inconvenience great a were trawlers The

permission to use VHF (deep see see (deep VHF use to permission half light and, having streamed the gear gear the streamed having and, light half

ties ashore...") we had been given given been had we ashore...") ties in Berkeley Sound in the early morning morning early the in Sound Berkeley in on my port quarter. quarter. port my on

peace had broken out ("Officers willwear willwear ("Officers out broken had peace well enough, the ships weighed anchor anchor weighed ships the enough, well pilot and my number two, in HMS PICT PICT HMS in two, number my and pilot

been signed or, as some had put it, it, put had some as or, signed been Wednesday 23 June 1982 started out out started 1982 June 23 Wednesday Commander David Garwood, another another Garwood, David Commander

swept nothing. As the surrender had had surrender the As nothing. swept and found a kindred spirit in Lieutenant Lieutenant in spirit kindred a found and

suspected minefield, and predictably predictably and minefield, suspected danger of sinking. sinking. of danger pilot was undaunted by my rude gestures gestures rude my by undaunted was pilot

GOLF, keeping just to the South of the the of South the to just keeping GOLF, needed and assumed an imminent imminent an assumed and needed point I waved him away. The Sea King King Sea The away. him waved I point

The first day we set off in a tight formation formation tight a in off set we day first The would signify urgent assistance was was assistance urgent signify would Being too busy for aviators just at that that at just aviators for busy too Being

others to take avoiding action and a red red a and action avoiding take to others exercise mines, these were for real. real. for were these mines, exercise

surrendered. surrendered. denote atemporary breakdown requiring requiring breakdown atemporary denote need; but in the Clyde we were up against against up were we Clyde the in but need;

three days after the Argentines Argentines the after days three a swept mine or a floater, a white would would white a floater, a or mine swept a to drop everything to meet its every every its meet to everything drop to

of clearing the Port Stanley minefields minefields Stanley Port the clearing of flare would bring everyone's attention to to attention everyone's bring would flare delay the very important helicopter but but helicopter important very the delay

finally getting down to the real business business real the to down getting finally with an emergency situation. A green green A situation. emergency an with back when the brief was always not to to not always was brief the when back www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk

Continued from previous page

without further incident. Lieutenant Nigel Art. (Bernie) Bruen (FDT 3) joined us by helicopter on 28 June to discuss the recovery and exploitation of a mine and ended up in the water that day securing a tow to the last one swept. His and JUNELLA's subsequent outstanding achievements in beaching and rendering the beast safe are worth a chapter on their own. We knew that the fields had ben laid to counter an amphibious assault and from the length of wire found on the mine calculated the mine case depths to be 18' below the surface (we drew 24'). The only remaining Argentine naval officer had confirmed this and had been delighted to discuss the effectiveness of ...and the helicopter departed in a hurry, not to be seen again. his minefield, the discussion taking on a typical PXD flavour rather than an interrogation. apparently motionless but large black floaters to deal with before nightfall there The shallow depth of the mine cases entirely shiny apparition with horns suddenly was insufficient time for a return run; vindicated the decision to put the precursor presented itself just in front of his ships recovered sweeps and did their deep Oropesa sweep together and it was significant that all of the mines were swept starboard bow in full view clear of the best to sink the mines. Try hitting a semi with this adhoc gear. To prove its water, having propelled itself from depth submerged floater at 200 yards effectiveness, we allowed ourselves a couple with great force. He altered the ship sometime. rapidly to portto avoid the mine, suffering of stirring bottom following five ship EDATS check sweeps to show there were no more a steering gear breakdown in the The ships rafted up later in Fitzroy Sound poised mines left to sweep. process. Number four, Lieutenant (now for a hotter than usual washup; we had Commander) Bob Bishop in FARNELLA, been blooded and were the wiser for it. The years of practice and training had paid off became greatly concerned as We counted our blessings and were and all lived to tell the tail. The full story will NORTH ELLA began cross the `T' ahead grateful for the innate sense of telepathy have to wait forthe book but I do not think any of him into unswept water. FARNELLA which had developed between the ships of us will forget the first mine. altered violently to port and further into as a result of our close company time. the minefield to miss NORTHELLA. Not to be outdone a member of PICT's bridge During the next 5 days, when the wintery team, who had heard an excited report weather permitted, the squadron swept of the swept mine, rushed on to the port a further 4 Argentine contact mines bridge wing, oblivious to the helicopter hovering a few feet above him and fired a green Very flare. The flare missed the attendant cab but clearly passed through the rotor disc. A somewhat shaken pilot aborted the drop and the helicopter departed in a hurry, not to be seen again. At the end of the line Lieutenant Commander Mark Rowledge in JUNELLA managed to avoid the two performing ahead of him ahead while PICT swept another mine.

With the formation in disarray and two floaters to contend with, I brought the proceedings to a close. JUN ELLA quickly recovered gear and sank the mines with LMG fire, NORTHELLAfixed hersteering gear and we tiptoed carefully out of the minefield. After restreaming the sweeps we started again; this time with a healthy distance between us. No more mines were swept in the first field but JUNELLA . for a hotter than usual washup. tallied four in the second. With four more

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called into question causing career and and career causing question into called

Continued overleaf overleaf Continued those taught to WEMs at present and in in and present at WEMs to taught those

for Senior Rate WEMs was, and is, is, and was, WEMs Rate Senior for

included in the following courses are are courses following the in included

different matter. The future employment employment future The matter. different

understood that the maintainer skills skills maintainer the that understood

given a package concerning the the concerning package a given by WBD work. The WEMs were a a were WEMs The work. WBD by

and maintainer skills. It must be be must It skills. maintainer and

Additionally, students will be be will students Additionally, WE Branch and should not be affected affected be not should and Branch WE

which will train ratings in both operator operator both in ratings train will which

ratings basic Minewarfare Skills. Skills. Minewarfare basic ratings would remain within the realms of the the of realms the within remain would

each entailing a Professional Course Course Professional a entailing each

Course designed to teach the the teach to designed Course decided that the WE Officer and Artificer Artificer and Officer WE the that decided

for all Warfare Branch specialisations specialisations Branch Warfare all for

PC1—Based PC1—Based on the present Sea (MW) (MW) Sea present the on `Operator - Maintainer' accepted. It was was It accepted. Maintainer' - `Operator

Four levels of training will be introduced introduced be will training of levels Four

completed and the need for the the for need the and completed

Minewarfare Branch are as follows: follows: as are Branch Minewarfare

TRAINING TRAINING

Branch in 1987. The initial study was was study initial The 1987. in Branch

into the feasibility of forming a Warfare Warfare a forming of feasibility the into

and Divers just to name a few. few. a name to just Divers and

The Navy Board commissioned a study study a commissioned Board Navy The

The Professional courses for the the for courses Professional The

i.e. PTI's, Regulators, Seaman Specs Specs Seaman Regulators, PTI's, i.e.

Navy Board later in the year. year. the in later Board Navy

sideways entry will remain as they are are they as remain will entry sideways

sustainable in the mid to longer term. term. longer to mid the in sustainable

now forms the proposal to be put to the the to put be to proposal the forms now

Those branches that recruit through through recruit that branches Those

Ops and WE Branches un- Branches WE and Ops Development Team at the MOD and and MOD the at Team Development

d. d. Structural problems will make the the make will problems Structural was accepted by the Warfare Branch Branch Warfare the by accepted was

- Comms Comms -

(CSM) (CSM) the MW Branch in line with others. This This others. with line in Branch MW the

in warfare. warfare. in - Weapons Weapons - maintenance package which brought brought which package maintenance (WSM) (WSM)

rewarding career for ratings involved involved ratings for career rewarding

revisited and revised to include a a include to revised and revisited - Tactical Tactical - (TSM) (TSM)

c. c. The need to provide a more more a provide to need The COLLINGWOOD the TPS's were were TPS's the COLLINGWOOD

Submarines - Sensor Sensor - Submarines (SSM) (SSM)

Branch Training Design Group at at Group Design Training Branch

Communications Communications (C) (C)

continuous advance in technology. technology. in advance continuous Minewarfare Section and The Warfare Warfare The and Section Minewarfare

Electronic Warfare Warfare Electronic

(EW) (EW) awareness by operators due to the the to due operators by awareness good liaison by COMMW, The The COMMW, by liaison good

b. b. The need for a greater technical technical greater a for need The Minewarfare Minewarfare package. After much time, effort and and effort time, much After package. (MW) (MW)

with regard to the maintenance maintenance the to regard with Underwater Underwater (UW) (UW)

manned ships enter service. service. enter ships manned within the Warfare Branch especially especially Branch Warfare the within

Weapons (AWW) (AWW) Weapons

available manpower as more leanly leanly more as manpower available

Minewarfare Branch and its position position its and Branch Minewarfare

Abovewater (AW) Tactical (AWT) (AWT) Tactical (AW) Abovewater

To make more efficient use of of use efficient more make To a. a. gave rise to many concerns over the the over concerns many to rise gave

were produced and published. These These published. and produced were

below: below:

main reasons were: were: reasons main form the basis for the Training Courses Courses Training the for basis the form

Warfare conducted. Each is listed listed is Each conducted. Warfare

of studies by a number of teams. The The teams. of number a by studies of Performance Statements (TPS) which which (TPS) Statements Performance

sensor they operate and the type of of type the and operate they sensor

the mid eighties as a result of a variety variety a of result a as eighties mid the issue of the OPS the Training Training the OPS the of issue

be grouped according to the type of of type the to according grouped be

The need for change was identified in in identified was change for need The called upon to perform. Following the the Following perform. to upon called

conducted. Each sub specialisation will will specialisation sub Each conducted.

all the tasks which a Rating could be be could Rating a which tasks the all

they operate and the type of Warfare Warfare of type the and operate they

Warfare Branch as a whole. whole. a as Branch Warfare The OPS is a statement which describes describes which statement a is OPS The

grouped according to the type of sensor sensor of type the to according grouped

Branch is fully integrated into the the into integrated fully is Branch (OPS) have been agreed and published. published. and agreed been have (OPS)

Branch. Each sub specialisation will be be will specialisation sub Each Branch.

the proposals to ensure that the MW MW the that ensure to proposals the Operational Performance Statements Statements Performance Operational

sub branches of the present Operations Operations present the of branches sub

time and effort has been put into staffing staffing into put been has effort and time authorities but mainly CINCFLEET the the CINCFLEET mainly but authorities

The Warfare Branch will encompass all all encompass will Branch Warfare The

concerned an insight to the future. Much Much future. the to insight an concerned After extensive staffing by various various by staffing extensive After

SUB BRANCHES BRANCHES SUB buzzes are quashed to give all all give to quashed are buzzes

MAD Magazine to ensure that the the that ensure to Magazine MAD PO(MW). PO(MW).

to be in the year 2000. 2000. year the in be to Branch. So what better place than the the than place better what So Branch. and the Petty Officer will remain as as remain will Officer Petty the and

seed reach the fleet. This is envisaged envisaged is This fleet. the reach seed why or how it will affect the Minewarfare Minewarfare the affect will it how or why Operator Mechanic (MW) (LOM(MW)) (LOM(MW)) (MW) Mechanic Operator

Warfare Branch Senior Rates bred from from bred Rates Senior Branch Warfare obvious that not everyone understood understood everyone not that obvious Minewarfare will become a Leading Leading a become will Minewarfare

WEMs will continue until the first first the until continue will WEMs During recent visits to ships it was was it ships to visits recent During respectively. The Leading Seaman Seaman Leading The respectively.

that the requirement for Senior Rate Rate Senior for requirement the that Mechanic 1st Class (OM1(MW)) (OM1(MW)) Class 1st Mechanic

would be phased out. It must be said said be must It out. phased be would BRANCH. BRANCH. Class (OM2(MW)) and Operator Operator and (OM2(MW)) Class

Branches under one title, title, one under Branches in the Warfare Branch and that WEMs WEMs that and Branch Warfare the in THE WARFARE WARFARE THE replaced with Operator Mechanic 2nd 2nd Mechanic Operator with replaced

the integration of the Operations and WEM WEM and Operations the of integration the form the basis of the maintainer training training maintainer the of basis the form and Able Seaman Minewarfare will be be will Minewarfare Seaman Able and

another about the feasibility study into into study feasibility the about another therefore that the WEM training would would training WEM the that therefore Artificer. The Title Seaman Minewarfare Minewarfare Seaman Title The Artificer.

You will have heard by one means or or means one by heard have will You promotion problems. It was decided decided was It problems. promotion no way encroach on the skills of the the of skills the on encroach way no

by WO(MW) R. DEAN DEAN R. WO(MW) by

THE WARFARE BRANCH DEVELOPMENT DEVELOPMENT BRANCH WARFARE THE www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk

Continued from previous page AWRIGirr! SUf precautions to be taken with NOT MENTIONED regard to safety of personnel and ) ANYK-M IN OPS. equipment. This will include Man Aloft procedures, Magazine HEADS safety precautions, Hazards associated with Toxic Materials and many more. PC2—A new course designed to provide further training in Maintenance Skills. Students will be taught how to use text equipment, measure voltage, current and resistance; to maintain electrical, hydraulic, HP/LP Air systems and the maintenance of Small Arms and Close Range Weapons. In the case of the Minewarfare Branch no additional Operator Training will be included in this course. Any student showing the The OPS is a statement which describes all the tasks potential to become an Artificer which a rating could be called on to perform . . . will be provisionally selected at this point.

PC3—This course will train Leading Hands in the Supervisory role in be given to some Minewarfare Rates at GENERAL both Operator and Maintainer the Able Seaman level. It is envisaged The proposed Branch Badge consists Skills. Some skills have been that those ratings who complete the of the present WEM Badge with the inherited from the Petty Officer Sea (MW) Course from about now and appropriate Warfare Branch letters notably the Operation of RTPME onwards will be given cross training in underneath. The proposal has been (but not the interpretation of Maintenance Skills and become forwarded to the Uniform and Clothing results) and HVME Equipment. Operator Mechanics late 1993. Committee who will then seek the approval of the Navy Board. PC4—The course will equip the Petty CAREER PROGRESSION Officer with in depth knowledge In some vessels other branches may Obviously everyone is concerned at how of weapon systems as well as be replaced by OM(MW)'s. The this is going to affect career progression. the role of the Director for OM(AWW) (Gunners Yeo) for instance Well the short answer is not very much. Minesweeping, Minehunting and may be replaced by a Minewarfare Rate Detailed Advancement regulations have Minelaying. Additionally formal who will have completed the required yet to be worked out but it is planned to training in the management and PJT's remembering that training in the keep the principles the same. The major administration of the maintenance of Small Arms and Close difference is the introduction of the PC2 Minewarfare Department Range Weapons will have been Course which must be completed prior concerning both operator and completed at the PC2 level. to confirmation in the rate of Operator maintainer skills will be given. Mechanic 1st Class (0M1). Maintenance duties will be carried out under the direction Task Books and Advancement CONCLUSION of the System Artificer/WEO. Examinations will be a pre requisite for It must be remembered that at the each rate prior to undertaking the moment all the above is subject to the All the courses have been designed to Professional Course. approval of the Navy Board. With our train Ratings to carry out their duties at ever advancing technology and reduced the required level and to this end no An additional benefit is the introduction manpower the need for Operators to be repetition of training will occur. For of Selection for Artificer (ARTCAN). If a able to identify and correct minor defects example, at present 'Components of man demonstrates the academic and on their equipments as well as maintain the SSB' are taught at all three levels, technical qualities for artificer he will be that equipment must be the way ahead. under the WBD only the PC1 course provisionally selected prior to the PC3 The enhancement of Minewarfare Skills will be taught basic components. The Course. On completion of the PC3 with Maintainer Skills offers greater job same applies to Minesweeps and Sonar Course the candidate will then be given satisfaction within the Branch as well as Drills. a draft to a selected billet where he can a more comprehensive civilian be further assessed on his technical recognition of skills acquired during Seamanship training is at present under skills. If successful the man would then Naval Service. review, however the Seaman be extracted from the Warfare Branch Specialists will continue to provide the for Artificer Training. The exact details necessary expertise. Cross training will have yet to be established.

14 www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk The History of Diving THE HISTORY OF DIVING

By H. WARDLE Lieutenant Commander R.N. (Rtd.)

to the formation of the Admiralty adapted for use underwater. Herewith an attempt to outline Experimental Diving Unit at Seibe The equipment in use by these the history of diving in the Royal Gorman's works under the then specialised groups consisted mainly of Navy up to the immediate post Lieutenant Commander W.O. Shelford, improved oxygen breathing apparatus war period with particular formerly the Instructor Officer in charge with mixed gas systems consisting of reference to the introduction of of submarine escape training. This unit enriched air i.e. a nitrogen/oxygen the aqualung into the service. concentrated on the design of self mixture, in use for working in depths contained, oxygen and mixed gas greater than 33 feet, the then limit for breathing apparatus whilst the diving on pure oxygen. For work on development of miniature submarines magnetic mines a self contained non Divers were first employed on the wreck and so called human torpedoes came magnetic diving dress and breathing under the Admiral Commanding of the Royal George sunk at Spithead in apparatus was developed, similar in Submarines. One early result of this new 1782. The work was carried out by Royal design and appearance to the old helmet Sappers and Miners in 1839-40 using organisation was the introduction of a or hard hat but with cylinders of mixed the rigid copper helmet and flexible dress lightweight waterproof suit essential for gas and a carbon dioxide removal system diving in UK waters. This suit was called developed by Mr. Seibe. being carried by the diver. Representatives from the Admiralty the 'Sladen Suit' after Commander inspected the work in 1840 during which Sladen the Officer in charge of human In 1945 the Admiralty decided to change 23 cannon were recovered. This led to torpedo training. the administration of diving from the the start of the diving branch of the Royal Gunnery Branch to the Torpedo Branch Navy within the Gunnery Branch. By the end of the 39/45 war the number which was already responsible for Mine of personnel trained in various forms of Counter Measures i.e. Mine Sweeping, The Seibe Standard type diving dress, diving must have been in the order of mine location and disposal. commonly known as hard hat diving, two to four thousand. The main 'hard with manual air pumps remained the hat' diving schools continued at A high percentage of the diving personnel primary form of diving apparatus in the Portsmouth, Devonport and Chatham. trained in special operations were Royal Navy for the next 100 years. Smaller schools operated in Alexandria hostilities only and were leaving the and Trincomalee. The Boom Defence service. Fortunately some of the Officers Although trials had been carried out on Depots operated salvage and wreck and men who had carried out such various experimental types of breathing disposal vessels world wide whilst each splendid work during the war stayed on apparatus over the years, in the early port had a team of divers. Cruisers and for a further period. The Officers in part of the 39/45 war, the only alternative above also carried divers. All the above Charge of the three Port Diving Schools systems available were oxygen were hard hat divers trained at one of were at this time Commissioned Warrant rebreathing, namely the Davis Escape the schools. The link from Royal George Officers of the Gunnery Branch. Normally apparatus primarily supplied by escaping days continued with the Royal Engineers these officers had qualified as a diver from a sunken submarine and the Salvus (Sappers) being trained by the Royal whilst serving as a rating before being Breathing apparatus primarily supplied Navy in basic diving techniques. promoted to Warrant Officer. fordamage control purposes i.e. entering contaminated orflooded compartments. Operated separately from the foregoing In September 1945 I was appointed to but with many cross fertilisations were the Devonport Torpedo School on the Diving using these systems was normally midget submarine divers and human Instructional Staff having previously carried out in bathing suits with a lead torpedoes, divers were also specially served in a Destroyer as the Warrant weight to overcome the buoyancy of the trained in the search for and recovery or Officer in Charge of the Torpedo Division. body and counter-lung. Not surprisingly disposal of mines. In Combined To my surprise I was sent for and asked diving using these systems was primarily Operations divers were trained in if I would like to be trained as a Deep carried out in warmer climates than the Landing Craft obstacle clearance Diving Officer! I had not even thought of United Kingdom. All divers in the Royal operations, whilst Royal Marine divers this but, having spent five war years in Navy were trained in hard hat and Salvus were trained as swimmer canoeists and destroyers teaching how to carry out diving and carried out some remarkable submersible operators. There were, no destroyer torpedo attack when I had work using these systems. doubt, other units, for example following never fired one in anger and the Atomic the Italian attack on Gibralta volunteers Bomb had just ended the war, hardly The use of midget submarines and divers were called for searching ships hulls for filled me with enthusiasm for my present using oxygen breathing apparatus in their limpet mines and the then Lieutenant job, I agreed. attack on ships in GibraltarandAlexandria Craff R.N.V.R. volunteered and received by Italian Navy divers in 1941 led directly his initial training using Salvus equipment Initial training was carried out at the

Continued overleaf

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Continued from previous page

Ship, H.M.S. Reclaim, and my diving works until December 1951 were concentrated on Helium Mixture Deep Diving and Submarine Rescue Operations. During this time underwater television was first used and we were successful in breaking the World's Deep Diving Record.

In December 1951 I was appointed Officer in Charge of the Principal Diving 7 • le , _ School at H.M.S. Vernon, Portsmouth. '01 Commander Shelford, now a Captain, Mir; 4 44-4iviv.:ala had moved on and the Superintendent of Diving was a Torpedo Specialist, A231 Commander Bob Harland. At this time the Superintendent's real job was that of Superintendent of the Admiralty Experimental Diving Unit responsible to the Director of Underwater Warfare at Admiralty Bath. The Captain of H.M.S. Vernon was responsible to the Director of Torpedo and Anti Submarine Warfare at Admiralty, London for the training of Personnel, the establishment of staff requirements for new equipment and its • HMS Reclaim Paying Off acceptance into service. I in turn, was responsible to the Captain, H.M.S. principal Diving School in H.M.S. carry out many interesting jobs within Vernon. The Diving School was now Excellent at Portsmouth followed by Plymouth Command such as inspecting located on board H.M.S. Deepwater about six months as understudy to the and clearing obstructions from Lease alongside H.M.S. Vernon's harbour wall. Officer in Charge Devonport Diving Lend ships on route back to America, Initially efforts were centred on the Naval School, H.M.S. Drake primarily assisting in mine clearance etc. A requirements associated with Deep employed on training duties, then to demanding, exciting and instructive time Diving and Submarine Rescue following H.M.S. Deepwater for further training in for me with only one Officer to assist me. the recent loss of H.M. SubmarineAffray, Deep Diving Techniques under It must have been in the summer of 1947 salvage and wreck dispersal clearing Commander Shelford, the then that I was asked to go to the Imperial wartime wrecks, and routine ship Superintendent of Diving. I thoroughly Hotel in Torquay to meet a man called maintenance. Routine basic training in enjoyed this period. A combination of Cousteau who had a new diving set. The hard hat gear continued with the Sappers the old school in the Diving Schools at man I met was in fact Commandant coming to Vernon fortraining plus senior Portsmouth and Devonport and the new Cousteau's father, a very fit man probably rates from the Royal Marines Swimmer under Commander Shelford. at that time in his early fifties. I tried this Canoeist training as diving supervisors. new device, theAqualung, and was most H.M.S. Dolphin also sent a small number I returned to the Diving School at impressed by its simplicity. Being a strong of midget submarine crews for training. Devonport which had now been swimmer, its scope for sports diving was A small number of divers received transferred to the Torpedo School in obvious, fascinating as it had been for specialist training in Mine Disposal work H.M.S. Defiance and in September 1946 me in my early cumbersome helmet using oxygen and mixed gas equipment was appointed Officer-in-Charge. diving days in good visibility to observe at H.M.S. Lochinvar in Scotland, the undersea life particularly in Plymouth Minesweeping base. For example, whilst The next 18 months were hectic building Sound. I wrote a glowing report to at Defiance I had sent a Petty Officer up the 'new look' Diving School. The Commander Shelford and got on with diver First Class and ten divers Second Staff of Defiance, particularlytheTraining my day to day work. Some months later Class to Lochinvar for training in Commander, Commander Peard, gave Jimmy Hodges, a wartime officer, came clearance diving. After successful me every encouragement to build up a down to Devonport to try out an completion of this course the Suffix (C) modern diving school. Divers were underwater camera with an aqualung. was added tothe diving rate. The Officers returning to base from all over the world Unfortunately it was not charged and as at Lochinvar included a number of with a vast range of experience from at that time we had no means of charging wartime extended service officers. salvage to midget submarine operations. the bottles, we could not use the set. I Many were senior Artificers from all believe Commander Shelford had done Naval requirements were based on 'in branches who wished to stay with diving. a swop with Cousteau, aqualungs for time of peace prepare for war'. Suppliers I could not have had a more competent rebreathing sets. of Naval Diving Equipment were team who could tackle virtually anything obviously keen on developing a market underwater. In April 1948 I was appointed Senior for aqualungs and associated products Diving Officer of the Royal Navy's new and played an active role in developing With about 150 divers we were able to Deep Diving and Submarine Rescue the British Sub Aqua Club. Basic

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17 17

Officers, none trained in port clearance. clearance. port in trained none Officers, (S.A.B.A.). This project was a shambles. shambles. a was project This (S.A.B.A.). ban the use of aqualungs. aqualungs. of use the ban

with a staff of two or three Warrant Warrant three or two of staff a with Swimmers Air Breathing Apparatus Apparatus Breathing Air Swimmers Clearance Diving Team today I would would I today Team Diving Clearance

At this time I was a Senior Lieutenant Lieutenant Senior a was I time this At Aqualung, or as it was christened, christened, was it as or Aqualung, example, if I were commanding a a commanding were I if example,

Also in the pipeline was a navy's navy's a was pipeline the in Also using rebreathing systems. For For systems. rebreathing using

the Principal Port Diving Schools. Schools. Diving Port Principal the Constant training and practice is vital vital is practice and training Constant

Training Schools facilities available at at available facilities Schools Training (S.D.D.E.). (S.D.D.E.). wartime, the aqualung is elementary. elementary. is aqualung the wartime,

on from wartime lacking the normal Port Port normal the lacking wartime from on Surface Demand Diving Equipment Equipment Diving Demand Surface to be the systems primarily used in in used primarily systems the be to

organisation was a loosely knit follow follow knit loosely a was organisation breathing sets. It was known as the the as known was It sets. breathing and mixed gas diving equipment likely likely equipment diving gas mixed and

had been ill. It appeared the the appeared It ill. been had needed in the way of aqualung type type aqualung of way the in needed purposes only. Compared to oxygen oxygen to Compared only. purposes

Kong. At Lochinvar the Training Officer Officer Training the Lochinvar At Kong. in my view, was all the Royal Navy Navy Royal the all was view, my in restricted, possibly to recreation recreation to possibly restricted,

on Port Edgar, Harwich, Malta and Hong Hong and Malta Harwich, Edgar, Port on from a compressor or air cylinders. This, This, cylinders. air or compressor a from aqualungs should, in my opinion, be be opinion, my in should, aqualungs

Clearance Diving Teams were based based were Teams Diving Clearance lightweight air hose to a surface supply supply surface a to hose air lightweight Navy Clearance Divers the use of of use the Divers Clearance Navy

already under the Torpedo Branch wing. wing. Branch Torpedo the under already success. Later this same system with with system same this Later success. strikes me as sensible. For full time time full For sensible. as me strikes

specialist the Clearance Divers were were Divers Clearance the specialist Navy's Damage Control School were a a were School Control Damage Navy's commercial type of aqualung which which aqualung of type commercial

Minesweeping came under the Torpedo Torpedo the under came Minesweeping swimming was a joy and trials at the the at trials and joy a was swimming the present day Navy uses a a uses Navy day present the

administration. Effectively therefore as as therefore Effectively administration. little resistance and underwater underwater and resistance little and ships bottom searching. I believe believe I searching. bottom ships and

Diving Teams came under the same same the under came Teams Diving the small high pressure cylinders offered offered cylinders pressure high small the and for Ships Divers for ship husbandry husbandry ship for Divers Ships for and

operational control. The Port Clearance Clearance Port The control. operational harness sat neatly on the shoulders, shoulders, the on neatly sat harness adequate for use in Damage Control Control Damage in use for adequate

and responsible at this time for their their for time this at responsible and comfortable I had ever used. The The used. ever had I comfortable was low. The S.D.D.E. set was was set S.D.D.E. The low. was

the war for the training of minesweepers minesweepers of training the for war the the breathing apparatus was the most most the was apparatus breathing the priority for aqualungs for service use use service for aqualungs for priority

Minesweeping base developed during during developed base Minesweeping On diving the first prototype I advised advised I prototype first the diving On I left the Royal Navy satisfied that the the that satisfied Navy Royal the left I

H.M.S. Lochinvar was primarily a a primarily was Lochinvar H.M.S. flooded or contaminated compartments. compartments. contaminated or flooded

use, i.e. entering through manholes into into manholes through entering i.e. use, small. small.

Diving organisation to H.M.S. Vernon. Vernon. H.M.S. to organisation Diving apparatus designed for damage control control damage for designed apparatus with my over specialist background were were background specialist over my with

initiate the transfer of the Clearance Clearance the of transfer the initiate compact aqualung type breathing breathing type aqualung compact of a seagoing command for an Officer Officer an for command seagoing a of

proceed to Lochinvar at Port Edgar to to Edgar Port at Lochinvar to proceed projects in hand, including a small, small, a including hand, in projects to become superintendent the prospects prospects the superintendent become to

H.M.S. Vernon. I was then instructed to to instructed then was I Vernon. H.M.S. to find he had many development development many had he find to becoming the first qualified Diving Officer Officer Diving qualified first the becoming

for all diving training should rest with with rest should training diving all for efficient Superintendent. I was delighted delighted was I Superintendent. efficient similar job. Apart from the possibility of of possibility the from Apart job. similar

enquiry, it was stated that responsibility responsibility that stated was it enquiry, Commander Harland had proved a most most a proved had Harland Commander Lieutenant Commander I was doing a a doing was I Commander Lieutenant

Team's divers and the subsequent subsequent the and divers Team's Superintendent of Diving in the rank of of rank the in Diving of Superintendent

one of the Malta Clearance Diving Diving Clearance Malta the of one previously mentioned. mentioned. previously Officer. In many ways as Deputy Deputy as ways many In Officer.

In 1953 following the accidental loss of of loss accidental the following 1953 In Diving under Commander Harland Harland Commander under Diving Superintendent of Diving, as a Warrant Warrant a as Diving, of Superintendent

the job as Deputy Superintendent of of Superintendent Deputy as job the Officer to Commander Shelford, then then Shelford, Commander to Officer

reluctantly taking to the water. water. the to taking reluctantly Returning home in 1956 I was offered offered was I 1956 in home Returning 1948 I was serving as Senior Diving Diving Senior as serving was I 1948

of some of Mountbatten's Staff Officers Officers Staff Mountbatten's of some of Bomb and Mine Disposal Officer. Officer. Disposal Mine and Bomb As it was I felt I had gone full circle. In In circle. full gone had I felt I was it As

simple to use. There were various tales tales various were There use. to simple East in the role of Fleet Diving and and Diving Fleet of role the in East interesting appointments were not good. good. not were appointments interesting

oxygen and mixed gas diving, were were diving, gas mixed and oxygen Officer before appointment to the Far Far the to appointment before Officer retracting the prospects for future future for prospects the retracting

aqualungs which, for divers used to to used divers for which, aqualungs course to qualify as a Clearance Diving Diving Clearance a as qualify to course satisfaction. With the sea-going Navy Navy sea-going the With satisfaction.

Diving team in Malta had use of the the of use had Malta in team Diving Late in 1953 I completed a conversion conversion a completed I 1953 in Late Royal Navy and achieved job job achieved and Navy Royal

Mountbatten's request. The Clearance Clearance The request. Mountbatten's of the few expanding branches of the the of branches expanding few the of

shipped out to Malta at Earl Earl at Malta to out shipped submarine rescue. rescue. submarine spent most of the post war years in one one in years war post the of most spent

followed and some aqualungs were were aqualungs some and followed rescue bell was undergoing trials on on trials undergoing was bell rescue after the drama of the war years I had had I years war the of drama the after

Admiralty Experimental Diving Unit Unit Diving Experimental Admiralty Mine Disposal. A new American built built American new A Disposal. Mine schemes. I had been fortunate in that that in fortunate been had I schemes.

ready for inspection! A visit to the the to visit A inspection! for ready the Navy's responsibility in Bomb and and Bomb in responsibility Navy's the under one of the Government release release Government the of one under

meet the Admiral and have two frogmen frogmen two have and Admiral the meet Branch assumed responsibility for all all for responsibility assumed Branch In 1958 I applied for early retirement retirement early for applied I 1958 In

Vernon, Captain Howard-Johnson to to Howard-Johnson Captain Vernon, Early in 1953 the Clearance Diving Diving Clearance the 1953 in Early

was required by the Captain of H.M.S. H.M.S. of Captain the by required was disposal and Army Bomb Disposal. Disposal. Bomb Army and disposal against Naval staff requirements. requirements. staff Naval against

in-Chief, Mediterranean Fleet in 1952. I I 1952. in Fleet Mediterranean in-Chief, together with courses on Naval Mine Mine Naval on courses with together Admiralty Experimental Diving Unit Unit Diving Experimental Admiralty

prior to taking over as the Commander- the as over taking to prior systems with oxygen and mixed gases gases mixed and oxygen with systems successful projects completed by the the by completed projects successful

Earl Mountbatten visited H.M.S. Vernon Vernon H.M.S. visited Mountbatten Earl working entirely with rebreathing rebreathing with entirely working should not detract from the many many the from detract not should

programmes for Clearance Divers Divers Clearance for programmes commercially systems. This one failure failure one This systems. commercially

and commercial work. work. commercial and produced comprehensive training training comprehensive produced compared unfavourably with with unfavourably compared

Naval viewpoint except for recreational recreational for except viewpoint Naval organisation this worked well. We We well. worked this organisation Demand valve was excellent but the set set the but excellent was valve Demand

application for the aqualung, from the the from aqualung, the for application the Naval Diving Branch as a cohesive cohesive a as Branch Diving Naval the which was a logical user. The S.A.B.A. S.A.B.A. The user. logical a was which

on in time of war. I saw no real military military real no saw I war. of time in on From the point of view of establishing establishing of view of point the From Early prototypes went to a survey vessel vessel survey a to went prototypes Early

we would have a pool of divers to draw draw to divers of pool a have would we

on the principle that in time of emergency emergency of time in that principle the on serving to discuss the move. move. the discuss to serving would be madness. madness. be would

divers interested I agreed to this based based this to agreed I interested divers him on H.M.S. Appollo on which he was was he which on Appollo H.M.S. on him triggered magnetically or acoustically acoustically or magnetically triggered

weekends. With a small number of Navy Navy of number small a With weekends. logical solution and I was sent to see see to sent was I and solution logical a mine on the sea-bed which could be be could which sea-bed the on mine a

members could use the Lake at at Lake the use could members with him as his No. 2. This was the the was This 2. No. his as him with the consequential problems. To go near near go To problems. consequential the

small number of Sub Aqua Club Club Aqua Sub of number small asked if I would be agreeable to working working to agreeable be would I if asked This resulted in alloy air cylinders and and cylinders air alloy in resulted This

near Portsmouth. I was asked if the then then the if asked was I Portsmouth. near had qualified in Clearance Diving. I was was I Diving. Clearance in qualified had "should be as non magnetic as possible." possible." as magnetic non as be "should

Vernon was carried out in Horsea Lake Lake Horsea in out carried was Vernon Lieutenant Commander John Crawford Crawford John Commander Lieutenant aqualung. One of the specifications was was specifications the of One aqualung.

oxygen breathing apparatus in H.M.S. H.M.S. in apparatus breathing oxygen Torpedo Anti-submarine Officer, Officer, Anti-submarine Torpedo not really know why it wanted an an wanted it why know really not

underwater swimming training using using training swimming underwater Search of Vernon's records showed a a showed records Vernon's of Search Partly, I believe because the Navy did did Navy the because believe I Partly, www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk Diving Work-up THE MINEWARFARE AND DIVING WORK-UP STAFF by Pete Cawsey

There has been some re-shuffling of offices, with SMWO firmly settled in his Here's just a few lines from the own "box-room." He can be contacted team who, probably for the first on extension 62523, with the rest of the time, are all Rosyth preferees. team on 62139.

Who are we? I hear you ask. As I write this the ROSYTH OPERATIONAL SEA TRAINING GUIDE is under review, with the intention of issuing the latest change. All we ask is that everyone on board be TITLE RANK NAME JOINED given every encouragement to read this worthwhile publication. SMWO LT CDR AA BAYLISS (Alan) Dec.88 tbrb LT CDR J BURDEN (John) Oct.92 That, and the relevant equipment DSMWO LT AMC HEALY (Andrew) Jun.90 handbooks, are our foundation upon tbrb LT To be named Nov.92 which to build the expertise within the departments. Please ensure that these SMWI(1) CPO(MW) PR CAWSEY (Pete) Nov.90 are used to prepare the departments RG TURNER ("Topsy") Feb.93 tbrb CPO(MW) for both day one and the OST period SMWI(2) CPO(MW) BV HOGG ("George") Sep.91 throughout.

COMMW produces CWA's, (Common Weak Areas), in the form of a letter, (pack 300/11). Get a copy of this from the CORRO, and ensure that the team reads this. A little effort in preparing for and executing the PST/BOST/COST can only pay dividends for the whole ship at the end of the day.

Even thought we are renowned for the "Green Jackets", which many people think change our personalities, we shouldn't have to ask Senior Rates to point out to their department that, not so many moons ago, we were in exactly the same position as them, and when Drafty and the Appointer have their way, we will be back in that same position again. So we are human and are approachable, and we like to think that this team in particular is progressing, and ridding the world of the "Staff Syndrome" which seemed to make the younger members of the ships' company cower in the corner. One point that appears to rear it's ugly head quite often, especially on the sweepdeck, is the expression "But we've always done it that way on here!" Lt Cdr (Alan) Bayliss Lt (Andy) Healy Yet if it's not in black and white then I'm (SMWO) (DMWO) afraid it can't be done. Notwithstanding that however, if you do have an "idea" CPO (MW) (Pete) Cawsey CPO (MW) (George) Hogg that you feel is the way ahead for (SMWI (1)) (SMWI) (2)) operating or using any piece of

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62139 62139 62139 62139 64803 64803 62533 62533 62529 62529

CAWSEY CAWSEY HOGG HOGG ROYAL ROYAL DOWN IE IE DOWN SELFE SELFE

CPO (MW) (MW) CPO

CPO (MW) (MW) CPO CMEM (M) (M) CMEM CMEM (L) (L) CMEM CPO (MA) (MA) CPO

SMW (1) (1) SMW SMWI (2) (2) SMWI SNBCD I I SNBCD SLEO SLEO SCMA SCMA

62249 62249

62525 62525 62531 62531 62531 62531

DAY DAY

TROUSDALE TROUSDALE

BATESON BATESON MORRISON MORRISON

CPO (SEA) (SEA) CPO

CY CY PO (M) (M) PO CRS CRS

SSI SSI

SPO (M) (M) SPO

SCY SCY SRS SRS

62249 62249 62139 62139

62348 62348

64404 64404

64249 64249 62529 62529

MASTERS MASTERS

HEALY HEALY

PAGE PAGE

GLOVER GLOVER COPE COPE

FORT FORT

CPO (SEA) (SEA) CPO

LT LT

WOMEA WOMEA CPO (OPS) (M) (M) (OPS) CPO CCY CCY

CCWEA CCWEA

SSEAO SSEAO DSMWO DSMWO

SMEO SMEO SCPO(M) SCPO(M) SCCY SCCY SWEO SWEO

6525 6525 62528 62528

64216 64216

62523 62523

64249 64249 64803 64803

62625 62625

JORDAN JORDAN PULFORD PULFORD ROTHWELL ROTHWELL

BAYLISS BAYLISS

GAUSON GAUSON WOOLLEY WOOLLEY

STEWART STEWART

LT CDR CDR LT WO(SA) WO(SA) LT CDR CDR LT

LT CDR CDR LT

S/LT S/LT LT LT LT CDR CDR LT

SGO SGO SSO SSO SNO SNO

SMWO SMWO

SCO to CMWV CMWV to SCO

SNBCDO SNBCDO

SNO (H) (H) SNO

64310 64310

LANGFORD LANGFORD

CPO (OPS) (R) (R) (OPS) CPO

TPROGO TPROGO

64358 64358

CDR QCL BANTING BANTING QCL CDR

CST CST

receive your thoughts). thoughts). your receive c) c) "That's not what I asked for!" for!" asked I what not "That's concerned. concerned.

(and I am sure that Project will gladly gladly will Project that sure am I (and get to know each other, the better for all all for better the other, each know to get

improvement to a system or procedure, procedure, or system a to improvement before!" before!" more informal meeting. The earlier we we earlier The meeting. informal more

some extra cash to investigate an an investigate to cash extra some b) b) "I've never seen one of these these of one seen never "I've whether it's for a pre-OST chat or a a or chat pre-OST a for it's whether

S2022 is often a means of securing securing of means a often is S2022 the office always welcomes people in— people welcomes always office the

In these days of cost-cutting, your your cost-cutting, of days these In a) a) "How do I fill this in?" in?" this fill I do "How Remember, when we are not at sea, sea, at not are we when Remember,

this way's better!" better!" way's this plaintive cry of:- of:- cry plaintive all ships. ships. all

is no use saying "That's a waste of time, time, of waste a "That's saying use no is PO who has to run to the MEO with the the with MEO the to run to has who PO many pick-up points are "universal" to to "universal" are points pick-up many

improvements that you can see, then it it then see, can you that improvements future and many's the newly qualified qualified newly the many's and future Up Report—it's surprising just how how just surprising Report—it's Up

problems. But unless you point out any any out point you unless But problems. be at the sharp end in the not too distant distant too not the in end sharp the at be read a specific point on your Daily Work- Daily your on point specific a read

are working hard to overcome any any overcome to hard working are action. Because they themselves will will themselves they Because action. the same! So don't despair when you you when despair don't So same! the

conjunction with the Naval Staff Authors, Authors, Staff Naval the with conjunction the time to involve them throughout the the throughout them involve to time the and third time—the shortfalls remain remain shortfalls time—the third and

be updated, but MDT and COMMW, in in COMMW, and MDT but updated, be S2022's, S340's and refit specs. Take Take specs. refit and S340's S2022's, am now seeing ships for the second second the for ships seeing now am

aware that BR's are extremely slow to to slow extremely are BR's that aware process of raising paperwork, especially especially paperwork, raising of process been involved with SANDOWNS and and SANDOWNS with involved been

or S2022 with the details on. We are all all are We on. details the with S2022 or Hands in the, often, complicated complicated often, the, in Hands of the HUNTS, all the remaining TONS, TONS, remaining the all HUNTS, the of

the rest of us. Submit a FLOM proposal proposal FLOM a Submit us. of rest the every opportunity to include the Leading Leading the include to opportunity every the SSOTS team. I've seen every one one every seen I've team. SSOTS the

equipment, then PLEASE share it with with it share PLEASE then equipment, Whilst on the subject of paperwork, take take paperwork, of subject the on Whilst I have enjoyed my time as a member of of member a as time my enjoyed have I

www.mcdoa.org.uk

www.mcdoa.org.uk

Diving Reporter

AB(D) KEVIN AMAIRA is welcomed to the editorial staff of the M & D Mag. as the "Diving Reporter". He transferred to the Diving branch from the Fleet Air Arm in 1987. On the completion of his S(D) course he was drafted to the diving team at Faslane, thence to HMS BICESTER. This was followed by a stint with the Rosyth team and more sea time in HMS MIDDLETON. Now at the Diving training school HMS NELSON (GUNWHARF) where he expects to be for the next 3 years. AB(D) Amaira can be contacted through the Diving Planning office on Ports NB Ext 24586.

TAFF WATKINS recently left the Navy as a Leading Seaman Diver. He settled within the Portsmouth area and took up civilian employment as a commercial diver. Some time later he was contacted by another ex-diver who was experiencing problems in securing diving work in the commercial sector. Taff was able to supply him with some good advice and he has been successful in finding suitable employment in the diving world. Taff Watkins is convinced that the major factors in securing work in the diving industry are: Good advice, Commercial contacts and being in the right place at the right time. In an effort to assist other divers leaving the service Taff has agreed to put himself up as a civilian contact man and says he can give invaluable advice on Tax certificates, personal book keeping and commercial contacts. If you think that Taff's expertise could be of value to you he would be delighted to hear from you and can be contacted on 0831 380135.

WHAT'S THE CAPTION? This amazing photograph of REDE diving training was recently taken at PASLEY'S POOL Gunwharf. The editorial staff have racked their brains in an attempt to find a suitable caption. Suggestions such as: 'The blind leading the blind" or "phew what's that smell" seem to lack the necessary descriptive impact. In desperation it was decided to print it anyway and leave the selection of a caption to you, who we know have a far greater imagination. Answers please to the Editor. The best printable ones will be published in the December '92 issue.

TOOL TRAINING FACILITY HORSEA ISLAND BLADE CHANGE FACILITY The tool training facility at Horsea island now has a Variable pitch blade change outfit. The unit simulates the removal of the top dead centre blade, which is the normal position for blade removal. This is achieved by lowering the base plate to the sea bed which then simulates TDC for the blade change.

The unit utilises the Hedley Purvis hydraulic wrench and with the expert guidance of CPO Shipwright Bill Hadfield achieves a two day turn round.

Also available for use is the Hydro brush for those all important prop polishing jobs. • Seen here operating the Hedley purvis gear are from right to left Please direct all enquiries through WO(d) Ramsay on HMS CPO Hadfield, L(D) Richardson, AB(D) Watson. Nelson (Gunwharf) Ext. 24821. Photo by kind permission Smops Photographic.

20 www.mcdoa.org.uk

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21 21

Devon EX20 4BS (From Aug.92) Aug.92) (From 4BS EX20 Devon

OKEHAMPTON OKEHAMPTON

Lobhill, Lewdown Lewdown Lobhill,

Tel: (0705) 822351 Ext. 24011 24011 Ext. 822351 (0705) Tel: Highfield Highfield

P01 3HH 3HH P01 Bernie Bruen Bruen Bernie

Portsmouth Portsmouth Aye Bernie Bernie Aye

HMS NELSON (Gunwharf) (Gunwharf) NELSON HMS

Minewarfare Section Section Minewarfare are well out of order. order. of out well are

Minewarfare & Clearance Diving Officers' Association Association Officers' Diving Clearance & Minewarfare readers that I am well alive and that these buzzes of my death death my of buzzes these that and alive well am I that readers

Secretary Secretary a motor crash. I would be grateful if you could assure your your assure could you if grateful be would I crash. motor a

R J Hoole, Royal Navy Navy Royal Hoole, J R There is a nasty rumour flying around that I have been killed in in killed been have I that around flying rumour nasty a is There

Lieutenant Commander Commander Lieutenant Dear Editor, Editor, Dear

appropriate details to: to: details appropriate PCDU PCDU

membeship and have not yet heard from him, please send send please him, from heard yet not have and membeship BOB OULDS OULDS BOB

names and addresses but if you believe you are eligible for for eligible are you believe you if but addresses and names Yours Aye Aye Yours

The Secretary of theAssociation holds most potential members' members' potential most holds theAssociation of Secretary The

It would appear that 42 years later nothing has changed! changed! has nothing later years 42 that appear would It

kindly consented to be Guest of Honour. Honour. of Guest be to consented kindly

the mask in place. place. in mask the

Commandant of the Royal College of Defence Studies has has Studies Defence of College Royal the of Commandant

jump feet first from a height of 4 ft., if one hand is used to keep keep to used is hand one if ft., 4 of height a from first feet jump

November 1992 at which Admiral Sir John Coward KCB, DSO, DSO, KCB, Coward John Sir Admiral which at 1992 November

boat with the mask on, or the glass will be broken; it is safe to to safe is it broken; be will glass the or on, mask the with boat

The next major event will be a dinner at HMS DOLPHIN on 6 6 on DOLPHIN HMS at dinner a be will event major next The

tobacco soaked in water. A swimmer must never dive from a a from dive never must swimmer A water. in soaked tobacco

scrub the glass inside and out with a cigarette, or some plug plug some or cigarette, a with out and inside glass the scrub

of his recent selection for promotion to Commander. Commander. to promotion for selection recent his of

equalise and keep water out of the mask. To avoid fogging, fogging, avoid To mask. the of out water keep and equalise

helped festivities along with a generous donation in celebration celebration in donation generous a with along festivities helped

water, although uncomfortable when first practised, tends to to tends practised, first when uncomfortable although water,

LIVERPOOL's 1950-51 rugby team. Lt Cdr Brian Mansbridge Mansbridge Brian Cdr Lt team. rugby 1950-51 LIVERPOOL's

eyes and nose. Exhaling slowly through the nose while under under while nose the through slowly Exhaling nose. and eyes

framed photograph of himself as an AB among HMS HMS among AB an as himself of photograph framed

that fits round the forehead, cheeks and upper lip, covering the the covering lip, upper and cheeks forehead, the round fits that

"Official Baritone to the MCDOA" and was presented with a a with presented was and MCDOA" the to Baritone "Official

heavy glass 5 in. in diameter, set in a moulded rubber frame frame rubber moulded a in set diameter, in in. 5 glass heavy

was held during which Lt Cdr Tag Caisley was appointed as the the as appointed was Caisley Tag Cdr Lt which during held was

any type of goggles. The mask consists of a circular plate of of plate circular a of consists mask The goggles. of type any

Association's first Honorary President. In the evening, a party party a evening, the In President. Honorary first Association's

preferred to any type of self contained breathing apparatus, or or apparatus, breathing contained self of type any to preferred

and unanimously endorsed Captain R C Moore as the the as Moore C R Captain endorsed unanimously and

1949": The Americans use the "Seadive Mask" which is is which Mask" "Seadive the use Americans The 1949":

Fee to cover initial year and £10 annual subscription thereafter) thereafter) subscription annual £10 and year initial cover to Fee

The following is an extraction from the "Manual of Demolition Demolition of "Manual the from extraction an is following The

Commander D S Sandiford, set membership fees (£10 Entrance Entrance (£10 fees membership set Sandiford, S D Commander

SKIN DIVING DIVING SKIN

the draft constitution, elected a committee headed by by headed committee a elected constitution, draft the

Dear Editor, Editor, Dear The well-attended inaugural Annual General Meeting adopted adopted Meeting General Annual inaugural well-attended The

and Clearance Diving community and welfare of its members. members. its of welfare and community Diving Clearance and

(MCDO Long Course 1969) 1969) Course Long (MCDO

to the aim of the Association orto the activities of the Minewarfare Minewarfare the of activities the orto Association the of aim the to

Managing Director Director Managing

foreign navies and those persons who have made contributions contributions made have who persons those and navies foreign

MNI MBIM MIExpE MIExpE MBIM MNI

membership are open to appropriately qualified officers of of officers qualified appropriately to open are membership

R. J. Lowther Lowther J. R.

were qualified in Deep Diving (QDD). Other forms of of forms Other (QDD). Diving Deep in qualified were

Yours faithfully, faithfully, Yours

(MWO), Clearance Diving Officers (CDO) and Officers who who Officers and (CDO) Officers Diving Clearance (MWO),

Clearance Diving Officers (MCDO), Minewarfare Officers Officers Minewarfare (MCDO), Officers Diving Clearance

in operations and training in the future. future. the in training and operations in

open to serving and retired Royal Naval Minewarfare and and Minewarfare Naval Royal retired and serving to open

opportunity of playing with it in the near future and of using it it using of and future near the in it with playing of opportunity

and formal basis to their mutual benefit. Full membership is is membership Full benefit. mutual their to basis formal and

Portland, and I hope many of your readers will have the the have will readers your of many hope I and Portland,

regular exchange of information and meetings on both a social social a both on meetings and information of exchange regular

undergoing assessment by the Defence Research Agency at at Agency Research Defence the by assessment undergoing

amongst Minewarfare and Clearance Diving Officers by the the by Officers Diving Clearance and Minewarfare amongst

fact ready in prototype form before Operation Granby. It is now now is It Granby. Operation before form prototype in ready fact

formed to perpetuate the Esprit de Corps and comradeship comradeship and Corps de Esprit the perpetuate to formed

developed specifically to overcome this problem, and was in in was and problem, this overcome to specifically developed

in HMS NELSON (Gunwharf). The Association has been been has Association The (Gunwharf). NELSON HMS in

Computerised Mine Identification System (CAMIS) has been been has (CAMIS) System Identification Mine Computerised

Association was officially launched at a well-attended meeting meeting well-attended a at launched officially was Association

around, that a computerised system does exist. exist. does system computerised a that around,

On 3rdApri11992, the Minewarfare & Clearance Diving Officers's Officers's Diving Clearance & Minewarfare the 3rdApri11992, On

Libraryfull of Ordnance Identification and Disposal publications publications Disposal and Identification Ordnance of Libraryfull

OFFICERS' ASSOCIATION ASSOCIATION OFFICERS'

others who have the same problem transporting a Public Public a transporting problem same the have who others

MINEWARFARE & CLEARANCE DIVING DIVING CLEARANCE & MINEWARFARE

Group's operations in Kuwait, I am pleased to inform him, and and him, inform to pleased am I Kuwait, in operations Group's

Dear Editor, Editor, Dear With reference to Mike Leaney's article on the Fleet Diving Diving Fleet the on article Leaney's Mike to reference With

CAMIS CAMIS

Dear Editor, Editor, Dear

the same edition edition same the

correspondence will be given the automatic right of reply in in reply of right automatic the given be will correspondence

as such. Where possible authorities or Units involved in in involved Units or authorities possible Where such. as

Letters not intended for publication should be clearly marked marked clearly be should publication for intended not Letters

0705-822351-24705. 0705-822351-24705.

edition for any article mentioned. Letters may be faxed to: to: faxed be may Letters mentioned. article any for edition

a daytime telephone number. Please cite page reference and and reference page cite Please number. telephone daytime a

Letters should be addressed to the Editor and should include include should and Editor the to addressed be should Letters

"Minewarfare And Diving " welcomes letters from readers. readers. from letters welcomes " Diving And "Minewarfare www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk

Look What Taff's Doing Now! HMAS PROTECTOR Trials and Safety Vessel by Lt. Cdr. Taff Sweeney RAN. (Ex Rn MCD)

• We have it from the author that the flight deck has been removed for stability purposes Editors comment: And presumably to make it easier for Taff to drive!

HMAS PROTECTOR was built for the National Safety Council of fitted with their own sonar and a TV camera. Two rudders capable of Australia (NSCA, Victoria) in 1984 by Elder Prince Marine Services, being operated independently and two controllable pitch propellers, in Fremantle Western Australia, and named the BLUE NABILLA combined with a dynamic positioning system and bow and stern (aboriginal for whale). The NSCA built the vessel to be used ad an thrusters make her the most manoeuvrable ship in the RAN. offshore supply vessel and a search and rescue platform. Unfortunately for NSCA, four years later they were declared In November 1991. a Royal Australian Air Force 707 crashed off the bankrupt and millions of dollars of assets were sold. south coast of Gippsland, Victoria, during a training flight. HMAS PROTECTOR proved its versatility just eight months after it was The Royal Australian Navy (RAN), had identified the need for a Trials acquired by the RAN, by recovering all the wreckage, including the and Safety vessel to act as support for the Type 471 submarine project 'black box'. was well as a support vessel for the Bay Class Mine Hunter sonar trials. Funds from both these projects were used to purchase the BLUE From January this year PROTECTOR has been involved primarily with NABILLA in October 1990 and she was officially renamed HMAS the Mine Hunter project. One of her tasks for the trials has been laying, PROTECTOR on the 20 March 1991. The ship has a crew of 20, and accurately fixing and recovering mines for the Mine Hunters. She has is currently Commanded by a Lieutenant Commander MCDO. also provided diving support for the trials and has also been used as a platform for the gathering of scientific data on the waters salinity and The roles of HMAS PROTECTOR have been defined as follows: temperature against depth, as well as information about the sea bed. So far these trials have been conducted at Jarvis Bay, 100nm south of a. To act as the submarine escort and safety vessel during the trials Sydney, Keeping the ship's Clearance Diving Team extremely busy. for the new Collins Class submarines, b. to act as a support and target vessel for the submarine trials, In June this year the MHI project will move north to Cairns to conduct c. to conduct all facets of Navy diving in support of the trials, the trials in tropical waters. Because of the remoteness of the trials area d. to assist Mine Warfare trials and from the facilities at Cairns the support role of PROTECTOR will be fully e. to conduct environmental data gathering for the Mine Warfare and exploited. She will carry two containers on her maindeck which will be submarine trials. used as accommodation and galley modules. PROTECTOR will also be used as a mother ship for the Mine Hunters, and at the end of each HMAS PROTECTOR is fitted with an HIAB sea crane for lifting loads day both the MH Is will raft up with her. of up to two tonnes, an 'A frame' capable of lifting 13 tonnes, bow and stern thrusters, forward looking sonar, a LIPS dynamic positioning Once the trials are completed PROTECTOR will sail for HMAS system, diving equipment and a six man recompression chamber. The STIRLING in Western Australia where she will be home ported and A frame will be used to deploy and recover a manned submersible undergo a refit to prepare her for her support role for Australia's new which is to be used in support of the submarine trials in early 1994. Two Collins class submarine. Phantom IV Remote Operating Vehicles are held on board which are

22 www.mcdoa.org.uk

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23 23

standard item of equipment deployed from from deployed equipment of item standard directed energy charge. charge. energy directed the handling and drill procedures. This was was This procedures. drill and handling the

by the French Navy for some years as a a as years some for Navy French the by behind a copper Vee shaped liner forming a a forming liner shaped Vee copper a behind I then boarded a French MCMV and witnessed witnessed and MCMV French a boarded then I

underwater vehicle camera) has been used used been has camera) vehicle underwater containing 430g of high explosive packed packed explosive high of 430g containing functioning sequence. Lt. Cdr. O'Driscoll and and O'Driscoll Cdr. Lt. sequence. functioning

form a dihedral when viewed from the the from viewed when dihedral a form to the mine tether and the other is a tube tube a is other the and tether mine the to and receive a detailed explanation of its its of explanation detailed a receive and

described because the jaws of the cutter cutter the of jaws the because described Once on site I was able to examine a cutter cutter a examine to able was I site on Once One of the arms is spring loaded for clamping clamping for loaded spring is arms the of One

The RCMDS Dihedral Explosive Cutter, (so (so Cutter, Explosive Dihedral RCMDS The two arms rather like a giant pair of scissors! scissors! of pair giant a like rather arms two

RCMDS Dihedral Cutter Cutter Dihedral RCMDS the design of safety features. The cutter has has cutter The features. safety of design the and can be categorised accordingly. accordingly. categorised be can and

Fortunately the French had done a god job on on job god a done had French the Fortunately sensitivity and performance are predictable predictable are performance and sensitivity

standard tests designed to ensure that that ensure to designed tests standard of the pens. pens. the of

credible accident effects! effects! accident credible explosives used must conform to a number of of number a to conform must used explosives manage to penetrate through the roof of one one of roof the through penetrate to manage

design data, explosives compatibility and and compatibility explosives data, design some instances, be recovered unused. The The unused. recovered be instances, some Boy" bomb (warhead 2270kg Torpex) did did Torpex) 2270kg (warhead bomb Boy"

statement as a detailed booklet of weapon weapon of booklet detailed a as statement important fora cutter of this type which will, in in will, which type this of cutter fora important apparently a direct hit from a 5443kg "Tall "Tall 5443kg a from hit direct a apparently

Statements will know that it is not so much a a much so not is it that know will Statements condition of the store. This is particularly particularly is This store. the of condition make much impression on them although, although, them on impression much make

pleasure of reading one of our recent Safety Safety recent our of one reading of pleasure the ready determination of the safe or armed armed or safe the of determination ready the metres thick. The allied bombing failed to to failed bombing allied The thick. metres

Safety Statement. Anyone who has had the the had has who Anyone Statement. Safety There must also be a feature which enables enables which feature a be also must There and walls are said to be in excess of 10 10 of excess in be to said are walls and

I had a couple of days in which to produce a a produce to which in days of couple a had I deployment and specified safe time/distance. time/distance. safe specified and deployment submarine pens are still there and their roofs roofs their and there still are pens submarine

In the Office at Bath, having given my debrief, debrief, my given having Bath, at Office the In (including credible accidents) prior to to prior accidents) credible (including as a submarine base. The massive concrete concrete massive The base. submarine a as

arming of the Fuze under all conditions conditions all under Fuze the of arming Back to Base Base to Back during the War it was used by the Germans Germans the by used was it War the during

into the weapon design which will prevent prevent will which design weapon the into the home of the French MCMV Fleet but but Fleet MCMV French the of home the

unassociated safety features incorporated incorporated features safety unassociated at the Naval Base in Brest. The Base is now now is Base The Brest. in Base Naval the at procedures. procedures.

be a minimum of two separate and and separate two of minimum a be Des Constructions et Armes (DCN) Navales Navales (DCN) Armes et Constructions Des an English version of drill and emergency emergency and drill of version English an

Basically, BR 8541 requires that there must must there that requires 8541 BR Basically, Applicator DGUW(N)) visited the Direction Direction the visited DGUW(N)) Applicator member of ECA staff, we were able to produce produce to able were we staff, ECA of member

Cdr. John O'Driscoll (at that time Naval Naval time that (at O'Driscoll John Cdr. our questions and, with the assistance of a a of assistance the with and, questions our

Statement. Statement. The urgency was such that myself and Lt. Lt. and myself that such was urgency The where our hosts managed to answer most of of most answer to managed hosts our where

data to enable me to compile a Safety Safety a compile to me enable to data ECA (RCMDS Contractor) Offices in Brest Brest in Offices Contractor) (RCMDS ECA

Stores For RN Use) and together sufficient sufficient together and Use) RN For Stores Navy. Navy. The following day (Sunday) was spent in the the in spent was (Sunday) day following The

BR 8541 (Safety Requirements for Armament Armament for Requirements (Safety 8541 BR suitability of a cutter in service in the French French the in service in cutter a of suitability

into this device against the requirements of of requirements the against device this into notice I was tasked to assess the safety and and safety the assess to tasked was I notice mooring wire. wire. mooring

My job was to assess the safety features built built features safety the assess to was job My would not be available in time and at short short at and time in available be not would the feel" of driving the cutter onto a mine mine a onto cutter the driving of feel" the

that the cutter under developmentfor RCMDS RCMDS developmentfor under cutter the that our "Naval Applicator" the opportunity to "get "get to opportunity the Applicator" "Naval our

vehicle. vehicle. lack of a remote control cutter. It was obvious obvious was It cutter. control remote a of lack ashore PAP simulator/trainer, which allowed allowed which simulator/trainer, PAP ashore

the PAP (Poisson Auto Propulse) underwater underwater Propulse) Auto (Poisson PAP the moored mines could be hampered by the the by hampered be could mines moored followed by a "hands on" session on the the on session on" "hands a by followed

recognised that the RN capability to deal with with deal to capability RN the that recognised

clearance in the Persian Gulf, it was was it Gulf, Persian the in clearance

.

• • PAP with BCA and Gun Gun and BCA with PAP fitted fitted

In January 1991, during planning for mine mine for planning during 1991, January In

Gulf War Preparations Preparations War Gulf

Stores. Stores.

responsibility for Mine Countermeasures Countermeasures Mine for responsibility

ST61D Underwater Weapons Group with with Group Weapons Underwater ST61D

Weapon Groups. I am a member of the the of member a am I Groups. Weapon

organised into Abovewater and Underwater Underwater and Abovewater into organised

and safety. CINO's division of DGST(N) is is DGST(N) of division CINO's safety. and

and who are experienced in weapon design design weapon in experienced are who and

Military College of Science at Shrivenham Shrivenham at Science of College Military

in Naval Ordnance Engineering at the Royal Royal the at Engineering Ordnance Naval in

Engineers, the majority of whom were trained trained were whom of majority the Engineers,

CINO has a team of Ordnance Safety Safety Ordnance of team a has CINO

organisation. organisation.

in recent years has been part of the DGST(N) DGST(N) the of part been has years recent in

Controller of the Navy rests with CINO, which which CINO, with rests Navy the of Controller

safety of Naval Armaments on behalf of the the of behalf on Armaments Naval of safety

The primary responsibility for the explosive explosive the for responsibility primary The

Ordnance (CINO) (CINO) Ordnance

the department of Chief Inspector of Naval Naval of Inspector Chief of department the

This article is an example of the work of of work the of example an is article This

Introduction Introduction

By Simon Crozier Crozier Simon By

RCMDS DIHEDRAL CUTTER CUTTER DIHEDRAL RCMDS

Safety from Explosive Hazard Hazard Explosive from Safety www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk

Shallow Water Operations Prior to receipt of the cutters, DGUW(N) advised that there would be a need to operate in water depths less than the minimum operating depth of the cutter. This resulted in a second urgent visit to DCN, this time accompanied by the DGUW Project Officer, Phil Sanham and WO John Docherty of ComMW fame. Our objective being to investigate the feasibility of a design modification to the SAU which would allow shallow water operation, without compromising existing safety features. Several ideas were considered and eventually it was decided to fit a new hydrostat cover incorporating a spring which would preload the existing hydrostat spring so as to reduce the effective operating force and thus allow the SAU to arm at a shallower water depth. However, owing the short delivery timescales involved the French were unable to carry out the modification prior to delivery. This meant Phil had to hastily arrange for UK manufacturer of the new hydrostat covers and spring. It • Cutter in fitted position (Fender should be in 'down' position for operations) also quickly became apparent that there would be no time for modification work to be undertaken in the UK and we therefore needed The base of the live arm is housed in a Safety The cutter is fitted to the PAP via a ballasted to devise a method whereby the modification and Arming Unit (SAU). The SAU houses the casing assembly (BCA) which is, in effect, a could be performed in the Gulf. WO Docherty Fuze comprising a detonator, lead-in booster Mine Disposal Charge (MDC) casing had no doubt in his mind as to who would and main booster. The lead-in booster is held incorporating an ejector gun. The BCA is draw the short straw, so he was keen to out of line in a rotor. The SAU also contains installed under the PAP in place of the Mine understand the workings of the SAU and a hydrostat which is locked in the safe position Disposal Charge and the cutter is fitted to the risks involved in the work to be done in the until the cutter is released from the PAP. gun which holds the cutter in the field of view theatre of operations. of the PAP camera. The gun is fired from the Release of this hydrostat in water, at or below The modification involved removal of the control console onboard the MCMV. Firing the design operation depth, allows the rotor existing hydrostat cover and locking pin. In the gun activates a gas generator in the base to turn under spring force to bring the lead-in this condition the hydrostat is unlocked and of the cutter, causing the cutterto eject. At the booster in line in the explosive train. The rotor pressure on the exposed hydrostat spindle same time a shear pin is severed, releasing also controls microswitches to complete the will cause the cutter to arm, ie, the lead-in- the spring loaded closing arm to capture the firing circuit (armed position), and disconnect booster would move in line between the mine mooring cable. Release of the cutter the firing circuit (sterilised position). There is detonator and main booster. This means the activates sea water batteries in the tail to also a viewing port in the body of the SAU detonator now only requires a firing current power an electronic timer, allowing a safe which allows the status of the cutter to be which, in normal circumstances, would come period to elapse during which the PAP can be observed, ie., Red indicates that the cutter is from the sea water batteries. The possibility withdrawn to a safe distance. Time out causes Armed and Green indicates that the cutter is of RF induced current to the detonator could the cutter to explode, thus severing the mine Unarmed/Sterilised. not however be ruled out and so the CINO tether. advice was that, if possible, the modification work should be carried out away from any POSITION OF SAFETY AND ARMING MECHANISM VIEWING WINDOW known RF transmitters. Provided that the hydrostat spindle remains undisturbed and the new hydrostat cover is replaced with locking pin fitted, the cutter is restored to the safe condition. A quick check that the arming window shows green and the cutter can be returned to its package. In fact the modification work was successfully carried out in a Gulf area shore facility, however WO Docherty did admit that the RAD HAZ conditions were less than ideal. It is rumoured that he had to carry out the task in an area known locally as the "Bomb Dump" (2000 Tonnes) at RAF Muharraq in Bahrain, 50 metres from the runway where Tornados, Jaguars and Buccaneers were taking off and landing. As if that wasn't enough, this was 80 metres from the Airport main radar, and 100 metres from a Patriot missile battery with other items of ordnance present. So much for advice! • Exercise Cutter and Box

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25 25

early stage and as always funds are are funds always as and stage early problems with road traffic accidents we we accidents traffic road with problems of Diving has undergone a recent recent a undergone has Diving of

However, the process is at a relatively relatively a at is process the However, transport and apart from the continued continued the from apart and transport The organisation of the Superintendent Superintendent the of organisation The

system and heated suits is the next step. step. next the is suits heated and system rationalisation/standardisation of unit unit of rationalisation/standardisation Organisation Organisation

communications system, diver tracking tracking diver system, communications Great strides have been made in in made been have strides Great

Research into the replacement set, set, replacement the into Research Transport Transport

at an advanced stage of staffing. staffing. of stage advanced an at

USN EOD teams in the Gulf. Gulf. the in teams EOD USN

for the new MCM/EOD Diving system is is system Diving MCM/EOD new the for

perhaps akin to the system used by the the by used system the to akin perhaps

which are being addressed. The MER MER The addressed. being are which

to Health and Safety matters. matters. Safety and Health to computerised, laptop version of AEODPs AEODPs of version laptop computerised,

problems, at present the proto standards standards proto the present at problems,

improve the explosive packs with an eye eye an with packs explosive the improve Development work has started on a a on started has work Development

sterling service in between its various various its between in service sterling

in hand to further standardise and and standardise further to hand in Data Sheets for RN weapons. weapons. RN for Sheets Data

DSSCCD is still with us and providing providing and us with still is DSSCCD

with a view to improvement. Efforts are are Efforts improvement. to view a with

published which will contain Weapon Weapon contain will which published

Equipment Equipment

services. The tools are being studied studied being are tools The services. BR 8988. A new BR 41 will soon be be soon will 41 BR new A 8988. BR

procurement process for the three three the for process procurement Sabotage Attack can now be found in in found be now can Attack Sabotage

Service ties with a rationalised rationalised a with ties Service Details on Defence Against Underwater Underwater Against Defence on Details

usual channels. channels. usual EOD continues to develop with close Tri Tri close with develop to continues EOD

your personnel to apply through the the through apply to personnel your available in mid '92. '92. mid in available EOD EOD

a career change? Please encourage encourage Please change? career a revision and copies are expected to be be to expected are copies and revision

looking, macho Ships Divers looking for for looking Divers Ships macho looking, Form S 288 has also undergone a major major a undergone also has 288 S Form

What has happened to all the good good the all to happened has What

await developments. developments. await

applying fortransfer into the sub-branch. sub-branch. the into fortransfer applying established. established.

and a warm suit for gemini use. We We use. gemini for suit warm a and

insufficient number of candidates candidates of number insufficient in greater detail and any trends trends any and detail greater in

but we have applied for Goretex suits suits Goretex for applied have we but

there is not only a shortfall, but also in in also but shortfall, a only not is there so that diving accidents can be studied studied be can accidents diving that so

They are being hampered by funding funding by hampered being are They

The exception is at the Able rate where where rate Able the at is exception The a Diving Incident Data Base held at INM INM at held Base Data Incident Diving a

made to get better surface equipment. equipment. surface better get to made

diving branch is at the required level. level. required the at is branch diving from the new forms will be entered into into entered be will forms new the from

underwater dress and efforts have ben ben have efforts and dress underwater

With one exception manpower in the the in manpower exception one With available bythe end of 1992. Information Information 1992. of end bythe available

clearance divers have improved our our improved have divers clearance

Personnel Personnel complete re-write/re-print and should be be should and re-write/re-print complete

The contracts for wet and dry suits for for suits dry and wet for contracts The

Form S 333 series has undergone a a undergone has series 333 S Form

serious injuries. injuries. serious

practical aspects. aspects. practical

Ilchester. Fortunately there were no no were there Fortunately Ilchester.

theoretical side and the other the more more the other the and side theoretical

panel, resulting in a fire on board the the board on fire a in resulting panel,

sections. One section will contain the the contain will section One sections.

explosion on the HP oxygen side of the the of side oxygen HP the on explosion

brief. brief. planning to divide the book into two two into book the divide to planning

most recent of which was a serious serious a was which of recent most

report but necessarily in in necessarily but report Future changes to the manual are are manual the to changes Future

is experiencing several problems, the the problems, several experiencing is

which needs studying by all divers. divers. all by studying needs which

give a 'State of the Nation' Nation' the of 'State a give Helium capability although the new panel panel new the although capability Helium

published. It is a fairly major change change major fairly a is It published.

Units continue to maintain a 75m Oxy/ Oxy/ 75m a maintain to continue Units due so it is appropriate to to appropriate is it so due

Change 4 to BR 2806 is now being being now is 2806 BR to 4 Change

available by the end of June. The Fleet Fleet The June. of end the by available been changes and more are are more and changes been

now being re-furbished and should be be should and re-furbished being now

EOD front line. There have have There line. front EOD procurement of new equipment. equipment. new of procurement

DGUW(N) that 61 sets of KMB 10 are are 10 KMB of sets 61 that DGUW(N)

show on a daily basis in the the in basis daily a on show both operational analysis and to justify justify to and analysis operational both

equipment. We are assured by by assured are We equipment.

quantitative information on RN diving for for diving RN on information quantitative

Gulf conflict, and are on on are and conflict, Gulf achieved using the sparse KMB KMB sparse the using achieved

data base will provide for the first time time first the for provide will base data

surface supplied diving is barely being being barely is diving supplied surface were displayed during the the during displayed were

Base under development at INM. The The INM. at development under Base

the equalising valve problems and and problems valve equalising the

Operational Effectiveness Effectiveness Operational

inputting information into a Diving Data Data Diving a into information inputting

SDDE remains under a ban because of of because ban a under remains SDDE

highest standards of of standards highest been designed to use as the form or or form the as use to designed been

through. In particular the the particular In through. section used for recording dives had had dives recording for used section

diving capability to 50m. 50m. to capability diving

under the title of BR 2806 (Record). The The (Record). 2806 BR of title the under

continue to see the branch branch the see to continue Units to provide a self contained air air contained self a provide to Units

approved and will be published shortly shortly published be will and approved

still certified for use by the Fleet Diving Diving Fleet the by use for certified still enthusiasm and adaptability adaptability and enthusiasm

standardised Master Dive Log has been been has Log Dive Master standardised

Compressed Air Diving Set (ICADS) is is (ICADS) Set Diving Air Compressed

professionalism, professionalism,

The final draft of the long awaited awaited long the of draft final The

still awaiting acceptance. The Interim Interim The acceptance. awaiting still

problems. problems.

However However

Publications Publications Fleet, although the larger Type B set is is set B Type larger the although Fleet,

manpower and money money and manpower

distributed and in use throughout the the throughout use in and distributed

a familiar mix of equipment, equipment, of mix familiar a DSSCCA Type A is now widely widely now is A Type DSSCCA

The last two years have been been have years two last The section in Bath. Bath. in section

replacement set. set. replacement receiving good support from the transport transport the from support good receiving Introduction Introduction

support in high places for the the for places high in support made for the TK replacements and is is and replacements TK the for made

becoming even tighter, but we have have we but tighter, even becoming are in a healthy state. A case is being being is case A state. healthy a in are

Superintendent of Diving Diving of Superintendent

By Cdr. D.B. Sandford Sandford D.B. Cdr. By

UPDATE FROM THE BOSS BOSS THE FROM UPDATE

I I

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www.mcdoa.org.uk

www.mcdoa.org.uk

and the cost effectiveness of Underwater change. With effect from 7 April 1992 Looking to the Future Engineering and the wide variety of other the Commodore Minor War Vessels Despite a variety of constraints and tasks performed in peacetime means Minewarfare and Diving (still COMMW problems, Operationally Effective diving our place is recognised both in war and for short) has direct authority over S of continues to be practised in the Royal peace. Finances will always be tight and D. This change was effected within the Navy with an enviable record of safety. every penny of procurement will have to rationalisation of the Fleet structure and Following the events in the Gulf conflict be justified, but our professional and should have little effect on the day to day divers are held in the highest regard highly motivated divers are well work of either divers or the organisation, within the MOD and internationally as an positioned for the future. but policy matters will be directed through important facet of the future Defence the Commodore. Forces. The efficiency in MCM and EOD

26 www.mcdoa.org.uk

www.mcdoa.org.uk

27 27

Simon Mansell Mansell Simon operated from a craft of opportunity opportunity of craft a from operated

employed on peacetime tasks. tasks. peacetime on employed Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) (ROV) Vehicle Operated Remotely expense. expense.

expensive MCMV, particularly when when particularly MCMV, expensive such a force would be an autonomous autonomous an be would force a such depleting MCM force, at minimum minimum at force, MCM depleting

commodity in its dependency of an an of dependency its in commodity national seaways. Aviable alternative to to alternative Aviable seaways. national ROV could complement our rapidly rapidly our complement could ROV

for the task it remains and expensive expensive and remains it task the for serious shortcomings in the defence of of defence the in shortcomings serious should be taken to assess the way the the way the assess to taken be should

improvements and its obvious suitability suitability obvious its and improvements MCM forces to OOA activities leaves leaves activities OOA to forces MCM world in Minewarfare a serious study study serious a Minewarfare in world

performance. Despite the many many the Despite performance. time. In addition the committal of national national of committal the addition In time. Royal Navy is to continue to lead the the lead to continue to is Navy Royal

have improved the operational operational the improved have involving many hours of tedious sea sea tedious of hours many involving many updates have taken place. If the the If place. taken have updates many

capability along with the vertical liftfacility liftfacility vertical the with along capability both costly and labour intensive, intensive, labour and costly both Technology is constantly changing and and changing constantly is Technology

minehunter. The increased depth depth increased The minehunter. operations. Such tasks are of course course of are tasks Such operations. world which could be readily adapted. adapted. readily be could which world

now in service with the Sandown class class Sandown the with service in now UK and during Out Of Area (OOA) (OOA) Area Of Out during and UK are many systems in use throughout the the throughout use in systems many are

vehicle and the Mk5 is is Mk5 the and vehicle consideration. There There consideration.

original issue of this this of issue original should be given greater greater given be should

modifications to the the to modifications of Autonomous ROVs ROVs Autonomous of

been been numerous numerous some concern the use use the concern some

Persian Gulf. There has has There Gulf. Persian modern MCMV causing causing MCMV modern

Falklands, and the the and Falklands, cost of producing a a producing of cost

been conducted in the the in conducted been us and the escalating escalating the and us

live operations have have operations live With defence cuts upon upon cuts defence With

decades during which which during decades

approximately approximately two two dog on a lead. lead. a on dog

been in service for for service in been deploy the ROV like a a like ROV the deploy

ECA PAP 104 has now now has 104 PAP ECA the danger area and and area danger the

could remain outside outside remain could

or anchorage the COOP COOP the anchorage or

clearance of a harbour harbour a of clearance

the task. task. the example in the the in example

required to complete complete to required consideration. consideration. For For

nation nation MCMVs MCMVs also be taken into into taken be also

high percentage of all all of percentage high The safety factor must must factor safety The

overall there was a a was there overall should not be ignored. ignored. be not should

field.\ Nevertheless, Nevertheless, field.\ manipulative arms they they arms manipulative

the RN expertise in this this in expertise RN the the use of extending extending of use the

problem", highlighting highlighting problem", of mid water flight and and flight water mid of

"dealing with the the with "dealing With the added bonus bonus added the With

challenge challenge when when any suitable COOP. COOP. suitable any

class MCMV led the the led MCMV class can be deployed from from deployed be can

waters. The HUNT HUNT The waters. containerised unit which which unit containerised

deployed in the Gulf Gulf the in deployed comes comes as as a a

numbers which were were which numbers complete package package complete

facing mines in the the in mines facing as required. The The required. as

Particularly when when Particularly disposal charge (MDC) (MDC) charge disposal

capabilities. capabilities. delivering a Mine Mine a delivering

American American MCM MCM ahead of the ship and and ship the of ahead

described described the the minehunting search search minehunting

critics of the US navy navy US the of critics conducting conducting a a

problem" was how how was problem" with the capability of of capability the with

dealing with the the with dealing alone minehunting tool tool minehunting alone

"Woefully incapable of of incapable "Woefully and others as a stand stand a as others and

weapons of war. war. of weapons bottom survey facility facility survey bottom

effectiveness of these these of effectiveness capacity. Some as a a as Some capacity.

turned turned to to the the of their use in a military military a in use their of

eyes were once again again once were eyes increasing awareness awareness increasing

bottom laid influence minethe worlds worlds minethe influence laid bottom important choke points both around the the around both points choke important offshore work. However there is an an is there However work. offshore

damaged by a tethered contact and a a and contact tethered a by damaged surveying and possible clearance of of clearance possible and surveying developed ROVs predominantly for for predominantly ROVs developed

TRIPOLI and PRINCETON were were PRINCETON and TRIPOLI activities will undoubtedly require the the require undoubtedly will activities Many commercial companies have have companies commercial Many

During the Gulf War when USS USS when War Gulf the During Future periods of tension and peacetime peacetime and tension of periods Future (COOP) (COOP)

received by the editorial staff and are published for interest. interest. for published are and staff editorial the by received

There has been considerable interest shown in the future use of ROVs. Three articles have been been have articles Three ROVs. of use future the in shown interest considerable been has There

THE WAY AHEAD AHEAD WAY THE

REMOTELY OPERATED VEHICLES VEHICLES OPERATED REMOTELY www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk

COST SAVING IN MINEWARFARE PEACETIME OPERATIONS AND EXERCISES

This is ultimately the Introduction OPTIONS 7. RCMDV AND ROV. ideal situation and a sound compromise. Whilst on the recent Group 9 4. There are three possible options for future 1. A Hunt Class could operate with one PAP deploymenttothe Mediterranean, HMS MCM peacetime minehunting tasking: and one ROV with the second RCMDV BERKELEY, CHIDDINGFOLD and continue with the sole use of RCMDV, released for maintenance/modification. MIDDLETON participated in two change to a suitable Remote Control The problem of continuation training on minewarfare exercises. During these Vehicle (ROV) or operate RCMDV and the RCMDV is easily solved by alternating exercises. MIDDLETON alone ROV in tandem. the submersible runs. Even one ROV run conducted 37 Remote Controlled Mine in place of an RCMDV would save money. Disposal Vehicle (RCMDV) runs of 5. RCMDV ONLY. Continuing as at present If operational effectiveness was a concern which four resulted in successful would allow our operators to maintain the then ships could be directed to conduct a identification of mines, twenty two necessary operating, handling and set amount of runs prior to use of an ROV. identified jetsam ranging from maintenance skills of the RCMDV and Likewise in OST, MCMG, in strong tidal parachute housing to large rocks and ensure that operational effectiveness is streams and in some exercise minefields eleven runs were aborted. The total maintained. It will also enable the RN to the ship would only employ RCMDV. For material cost of these vehicle runs was honour its contractto CSIP (UK subsidiary ease of fitting it is envisaged that the £39,470.12, based on the cost of a to ECA, the French company who supply vehicle be restricted to port side bobbin (umbilical) £880.00 and a RCMDS). Over the next five years the deployment only, in order that deck dragrope (ballast weight) £186.76. This Hunt Flotilla will conduct at least 5000 connections and cable runs be kept to a article is being written to highlightthese RCMDV runs, costing a total of minimum. The restriction which this places costs and examine a means of reducing £5,333,800. With the RN's responsibility on the Command when manoeuvring the them, It assumes that the reader has a to MARPOL in mind, this will result in the ship for a hover are easily surmountable. basic knowledge of the Remote abandonment of 125,000kg of lead and The MARPOL problem is halved. Controlled Mine Disposal System. The 5,000.000 metres of coaxial cable on the Staff of COMMW Warfare Office, RNDA seabed! Copenacre and Swedish Ordnance CONCLUSIONS SUTEC were consulted during its 6. ROV ONLY. An ROV, such as the SUTEC 8. It is believed that a Remote Control Vehicle preparation. Sea Owl Mkll, suitable for peacetime used in peacetime operations could save tasking would cost £108,000 (SUTEC price the Royal Navy substantial amounts of list Jan 92); this equates to about 100 money. It is not intended that the ROV RCMDV runs. The obvious advantage of replace the RCMDV in all its roles although an ROV is that it is re-usable as well as its potential is clear. Operational AIM being easy to use. Instead of a ballast effectiveness and flexibility can be 2. The aim of this article is to propose an weight, they rely on thrusters for negative maintained by operating the two systems alternative, cheaper and more buoyancy and have an integral umbilical in tandem. 101 RCMDV runs will buy one environmentally acceptable method of cable. As they are designed to be ROV with the capability of limitless runs. It conducting minehunting training and `submersible eyeballs' the television would be relatively simple to retrofit the operations in peacetime. camera has an excellent field of view and system and its use would only require would be ideal for sonar contact or seabed onboard training and minor adaptation of identification. An ROV would also have an tried and tested techniques. Not least, our independent power supply connected into REQUIREMENT MARPOL responsibilities must be taken a ships ringmain, theoretically giving it a seriously in peacetime, the operating cycle 3. The need to maintain our minehunters at limitless run capability. There is no of an RCMDV is not environmentally high operational effectiveness is MARPOL problem as no part of the system friendly, the ROV is a 'Green' machine by paramount and, to achieve this, MCMVs is discharged. The RN used the Sea Owl comparison. However, as with many cost- must take every opportunity to practice all ROV during Operational HARLING in the saving plans, it would require 'spend to aspects of MCM. For Hunt Class, this Red Sea in 1984 with success. Retrofitting save' due to the procurement cost of the includes regular training on the Remote an ROV system to a Hunt would be ROV system. Controlled Mine Disposal System of which relatively simple and could easily be the RCMDV is the key unit. The RCMDV achieved in a Base Maintenance Period. Mk 1 was used to good effect in the recent Space exists in the Operations room for a D P INCE Gulf War Mine Clearance Operations and control console and power pack, even Lieutenant (MCD) RN proved itself an excellent mine disposal with enhancement equipment in place. Operations Officer system, However, in peacetime The systems handling and operating minewarfare operations and exercises characteristics vary somewhat from the the RCMDV is only required to positively RCMDV so there would be a loss of identify a sonar minelike contact/the operational effectiveness. Being smaller bottom type. This is particularly true during and lighter the ROV does not have the Operation Pike and route surveys tasks. power to tackle the stronger tidal streams The only part of the RCMDV required for it may encounter. ROVs are not this is the television camera mounted in necessarily magnetically or acoustically its nose; however, each vehicle deployed safe, a potential problem in the exercise Continued overleaf will expend a bobbin and dragrope. minefield. 28 www.mcdoa.org.uk

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29 29

• • The Research Underwater Autonomous Vehicle under development. development. under Vehicle Autonomous Underwater Research The

Greenland Sea. This had dictated a a dictated had This Sea. Greenland responsible for the overall systems systems overall the for responsible

scientific data gathering voyage in the the in voyage gathering data scientific Marconi Underwater Systems is is Systems Underwater Marconi

undertake a deliberately challenging challenging deliberately a undertake beacon, beeper and transponder. transponder. and beeper beacon,

evaluation and characterisation it will will it characterisation and evaluation devices include an Argos satellite satellite Argos an include devices March 10-13. 10-13. March

sub-systems and after its year's year's its after and sub-systems and electromagnetic log. Location Location log. electromagnetic and International Exhibition, Brighton, UK, UK, Brighton, Exhibition, International

platform for the development of modular modular of development the for platform navigation system with fluxgate compass compass fluxgate with system navigation The AUV is on show at the Oceanology Oceanology the at show on is AUV The

The AUV is a test bed which provides a a provides which bed test a is AUV The scan sonars and a 3-axis inertial inertial 3-axis a and sonars scan

The AUV has upward-looking and side side and upward-looking has AUV The for research. research. for

rely heavily on surface ship support. support. ship surface on heavily rely be available to the widerAUV community community widerAUV the to available be

limited range tethered vehicles which which vehicles tethered range limited relevant apertures and orifices. orifices. and apertures relevant the test bed AUV will, by the end of 1993, 1993, of end the by will, AUV bed test the

achieved by manned sumbersibles or or sumbersibles manned by achieved selection to prevent ice-clogging of of ice-clogging prevent to selection After its Arctic voyage and further trials trials further and voyage Arctic its After

survey tasks that cannot at present be be present at cannot that tasks survey design techniques and materials materials and techniques design

undertake scientific data gathering and and gathering data scientific undertake particular attention has been paid to to paid been has attention particular chlorophyll-a fluorescence. fluorescence. chlorophyll-a

untethered underwater vehicles to to vehicles underwater untethered on the hull and its sensors and so so and sensors its and hull the on conductivity, temperature, depth and and depth temperature, conductivity,

demand in a few years for unmanned, unmanned, for years few a in demand cause rapid ice formation of up to 4mm 4mm to up of formation ice rapid cause the basic ocean parameters of of parameters ocean basic the

Research has shown that there will be a a be will there that shown has Research temperature into sea at minus 2°C will will 2°C minus at sea into temperature mounted sensors which will measure measure will which sensors mounted

high as 40°C. Launching from this air air this from Launching 40°C. as high and receiving data from externally externally from data receiving and

Instruments Instruments Ltd and Moog Controls Ltd. Ltd. Controls Moog and Ltd during launch and recovery could be as as be could recovery and launch during housing instrument distributing powerto powerto distributing instrument housing

companies are MUSL, Chelsea Chelsea MUSL, are companies low as minus 40°C and so thermal shock shock thermal so and 40°C minus as low system. This is a self-contained, single- self-contained, a is This system.

Systems Ltd (MUSL). Participating Participating (MUSL). Ltd Systems deployment. Air temperature may be as as be may temperature Air deployment. suite and associated data handling handling data associated and suite

programme led by Marconi Underwater Underwater Marconi by led programme stowage on board and during during and board on stowage built the oceanographic data gathering gathering data oceanographic the built

supported collaborative research research collaborative supported conditions, not just in the water but during during but water the in just not conditions, Chelsea Instruments has designed and and designed has Instruments Chelsea

Department of Trade and Industry- and Trade of Department withstand severe environmental environmental severe withstand

The AUV has been built as part of a a of part as built been has AUV The The AUV and its subsystem will have to to have will subsystem its and AUV The controller. controller.

tested the propulsion motor and motor motor and motor propulsion the tested

Arctic ice. ice. Arctic endurance of 36 hours. hours. 36 of endurance Moog Controls has designed, built and and built designed, has Controls Moog

will make a 200km voyage under the the under voyage 200km a make will per second (about five knots) and an an and knots) five (about second per

been built and after a year's evaluation evaluation year's a after and built been a range of 300km, speed of 2.5 metres metres 2.5 of speed 300km, of range a logistics of launch and recovery. recovery. and launch of logistics

underwater vehicle (AUV) has now now has (AUV) vehicle underwater long, 0.53m diameter vehicle which has has which vehicle diameter 0.53m long, payload, navigation systems and the the and systems navigation payload,

The UK's first autonomous autonomous first UK's The demanding specification forthe six-metre six-metre forthe specification demanding engineering of the vehicle, the sonar sonar the vehicle, the of engineering

VEHICLE COMPLETED COMPLETED VEHICLE

FIRST AUTONOMOUS UNDERWATER UNDERWATER AUTONOMOUS FIRST www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk

COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NAVAL HOME COMMAND'S HERBERT LOTT TRUST FUND AWARD CPO(D) B TEMPEST

Chief Petty Officer TEMPEST has been employed as the Chief Diving Instructor at Horsea Island since January 1990 and is responsible for maintaining training standards, regulating training activities and for the general management of the site. The facilities at Horsea have changed little during decades of use and the resources which could be made available have been severely limited to the extent that the maintenance of even basic services has become very difficult. Drawing on deep reserves of enthusiasm, outstanding managerial skill and considerable ingenuity, TEMPEST has risen to the challenge admirably. This facility has therefore continued to function effectively and has provided a very high level of support; this is due entirely to TEMPEST's own continuous and selfless efforts.

TEMPEST is a single parent with the sole responsibility for bringing up his young son, yet has devoted much of his own time to his work out of hours and during many weekends over the last 24 months. His extraordinary initiative in maximising the availability of resources, using them to best advantage and his dogged determination to achieve results have been remarkable. He has taken full advantage of all the normal methods of getting things done and developed others which were not thought possible. Without the benefit of working hands to assist him in his general duties, the considerable catalogue of his achievements is all the more commendable. These include the refurbishment of classrooms; the organisation of extensive self help repairs to the bank of the lake involving many tons of spoil material; cleverly managing the sparse funds available to provide both female changing facilities and a new building, the latter using largely scrap materials; the resiting of a large compression chamber and the medical room; extensive improvements to other changing areas; the provision of proper drying facilities and many more too numerous to list.

TEMPEST's unflagging enthusiasm, his total dedication to his work and the outstanding initiative he has shown in getting things done, have been of the highest order and warrant the recognition of a "Commander-in-Chiefs Award" from the Herbert Lott Naval Home Command Trust Fund. TeL.,1

30th April 1992 Admiral

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31 31

the vessel. vessel. the of Sheerness Dockyard, tested against against tested Dockyard, Sheerness of

preferably without having to stop stop to having without preferably out on the ACTAEON with the assistance assistance the with ACTAEON the on out

being rigged and unrigged at sea— at unrigged and rigged being Bow defence for trawlers was worked worked was trawlers for defence Bow

b. b. The equipment had to be capable of of capable be to had equipment The

the torpedo gun boats. boats. gun torpedo the

be rolling and pitching considerably. considerably. pitching and rolling be and this type of gear was approved for for approved was gear of type this and

which the ship it was fitted to might might to fitted was it ship the which The result was considered satisfactory satisfactory considered was result The

strong to withstand a seaway in in seaway a withstand to strong 501Ibs of guncotton beneath the gear. gear. the beneath guncotton of 501Ibs

a. a. The equipment had to be sufficiently sufficiently be to had equipment The SEAGULL and exploding a charge of of charge a exploding and SEAGULL

cowcatcher approved for HMS HMS for approved cowcatcher

allowing us to reprint theabovearticle theabovearticle reprint to us allowing

mind were: were: mind vessel (the Mastiff) fitting a type of of type a fitting Mastiff) (the vessel

Thanks to DRA ARE Southwell for for Southwell ARE DRA to Thanks The points which had to be borne in in borne be to had which points The represent a torpedo gunboat on an old old an on gunboat torpedo a represent

test was made by building a false bow to to bow false a building by made was test

as the minesweeping arrangement. arrangement. minesweeping the as dummy mines in 1911. In 1913 a further further a 1913 In 1911. in mines dummy

meet with the same degree of success success of degree same the with meet fitted in the Dockyard and tried against against tried and Dockyard the in fitted December 1916. 1916. December

various devices were tried they did not not did they tried were devices various Portsmouth in HMS VERNON being being VERNON HMS in Portsmouth place between October 1914 and and 1914 October between place

commencement of the war but although although but war the of commencement the gunboats were developed at at developed were gunboats the construction and the experiments took took experiments the and construction

vessels were approved after the the after approved were vessels gunboats and trawlers. Appliances for for Appliances trawlers. and gunboats All of these equipments were similar in in similar were equipments these of All

as sweeping mines. Proposals to fit other other fit to Proposals mines. sweeping as These vessels were of two types, torpedo torpedo types, two of were vessels These

to give them some self protection as well well as protection self some them give to equipment was fitted to minesweepers. minesweepers. to fitted was equipment h. "Raglan Castle" Gear Gear Castle" "Raglan h.

lines of "cow catchers" fitted to the bows bows the to fitted catchers" "cow of lines The first of the cowcatcher type type cowcatcher the of first The 9. Skipjack Gear Gear Skipjack 9.

the minesweepers with devices on the the on devices with minesweepers the Contracts) Contracts)

developed and efforts made to provide provide to made efforts and developed approved for trial. trial. for approved f. f. SCW Gear ( Superintendent of of Superintendent ( Gear SCW

menace a system of minesweeping was was minesweeping of system a menace the DARDANELLES in 1878 it was not not was it 1878 in DARDANELLES the e. e. Ellison Gear Gear Ellison

on the provision of mines. To meet this this meet To mines. of provision the on experience obtained with similar gear at at gear similar with obtained experience d. d. "Campania" Gear (DNC Type) Type) (DNC Gear "Campania"

had been spending large sums of money money of sums large spending been had and complicated and in view of the the of view in and complicated and c. c. Exmouth Gear Gear Exmouth

War it had been known that Germany Germany that known been had it War bar. The proposal was considered heavy heavy considered was proposal The bar. b. b. 011is Gear Gear 011is

For several years prior to the 1st World World 1st the to prior years several For ship and a net was to be fitted above the the above fitted be to was net a and ship a. a. Wilson Gear Gear Wilson

about equal in length to the mean of the the of mean the to length in equal about

distance ahead of the ship. The bar was was bar The ship. the of ahead distance these are listed below: below: listed are these

Sweeping". Sweeping". bar about the depth of the keel some some keel the of depth the about bar A number of systems were trialed and and trialed were systems of number A

interesting reading. "Happy "Happy reading. interesting carrying a transversed horizontal steel steel horizontal transversed a carrying to test any promising gear. gear. promising any test to

publication and I think it makes makes it think I and publication of booms projecting ahead of the ship ship the of ahead projecting booms of minesweeping vessels as possible and and possible as vessels minesweeping

was extracted from an ARE ARE an from extracted was ship for trial. This comprised a number number a comprised This trial. for ship fit such protection to as many many as to protection such fit

course no. The following article article following The no. course experimental cow-catcher on a battle battle a on cow-catcher experimental torpedo gunboats. It was also decided to to decided also was It gunboats. torpedo

answer to both questions is of of is questions both to answer by Lt. (later Captain) C. L. Lambe to fit an an fit to Lambe L. C. Captain) (later Lt. by the gear provided for trawlers and and trawlers for provided gear the

shallow moored mines? The The mines? moored shallow In 1908 a proposal was first put forward forward put first was proposal a 1908 In battleships as well as improvements in in improvements as well as battleships

surface vessels from floating or or floating from vessels surface a demand arose for bow protection for for protection bow for arose demand a

attempt at trying to protect protect to trying at attempt with a single mine. mine. single a with However, very soon after the war stated stated war the after soon very However,

Is the fitting of MAS the first first the MAS of fitting the Is event it would only be capable of dealing dealing of capable be only would it event

become. But is this a new threat? threat? new a this is But become. exceedingly difficultto dispose of. In any any In of. dispose difficultto exceedingly made. made.

serious the Mine threat has now now has threat Mine the serious remained in the net it would be be would it net the in remained time was not required and no trial was was trial no and required not was time

was another indication of just how how just of indication another was ship to a certain extent, whereas if it it if whereas extent, certain a to ship bow protection against mines at this this at mines against protection bow

into ships deploying to the Gulf Gulf the to deploying ships into defence away and probably damage the the damage probably and away defence spars. It was, however, decided that that decided however, was, It spars.

Mine Avoidance Sonars (MAS) (MAS) Sonars Avoidance Mine exploded, it would certainly blow the the blow certainly would it exploded, between the four forward ends of the the of ends forward four the between

programme. The rapid fitting of of fitting rapid The programme. dealing with the problem, as if the mine mine the if as problem, the with dealing from the forecastle, a net being spread spread being net a forecastle, the from

included in the FOST work up up work FOST the in included was not, however, a satisfactory way of of way satisfactory a however, not, was passed round the forefoot and stayed stayed and forefoot the round passed

mine avoidance is very much much very is avoidance mine mines. The catching of the mine in a net net a in mine the of catching The mines. four heavy spars heeled against a chain chain a against heeled spars heavy four

change in operational tactics and and tactics operational in change ships from floating as well as moored moored as well as floating from ships when in the North Sea. This comprised comprised This Sea. North the in when

Its presence has caused a major major a caused has presence Its considered necessary to safeguard the the safeguard to necessary considered ships with a view to their protection protection their to view a with ships

brethren of the "big ship" navy. navy. ship" "big the of brethren cowcatcher principal as it was was it as principal cowcatcher be extemporised and fitted to merchant merchant to fitted and extemporised be

mine awareness amongst our our amongst awareness mine at catching a mine in a net on the the on net a in mine a catching at trial a bow protection gear which could could which gear protection bow a trial

debate and increased the level of of level the increased and debate Most of the early equipment was aimed aimed was equipment early the of Most of Naval Construction) put forward for for forward put Construction) Naval of

has been the basis of much much of basis the been has In 1914 when war started DNC (Director (Director DNC started war when 1914 In

Mines - - experienced in the Gulf Gulf the in experienced excessive. excessive.

The recent threat of "Floating "Floating of threat recent The the drag of the gear should not be be not should gear the of drag the provided for fitting to trawlers. trawlers. to fitting for provided

c. c. The diminution of speed caused by by caused speed of diminution The dummy mines and a number of sets sets of number a and mines dummy

By George Turnbull Turnbull George By

MINE AVOIDANCE AVOIDANCE MINE

Mine Mine Avoidance Avoidance www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk

• "01lis" Gear (down) on HMS REVENGE (now REDOUBTABLE).

• "011is" Gear (up).

32 www.mcdoa.org.uk

www.mcdoa.org.uk

33 33

— Administrative support support Administrative Weapon Practice Assessment (WPA), is the process of comparing the the comparing of process the is (WPA), Assessment Practice Weapon

— Upkeep of the MW data stored on MTSS MTSS on stored data MW the of Upkeep analysis facilities. facilities. analysis

operations and to assist in the assessment/development of future future of assessment/development the in assist to and operations In support of these functions it will also provide: provide: also will it functions these of support In

within 24 hours), to provide 'ad hoc' reconstruction of recorded recorded of reconstruction hoc' 'ad provide to hours), 24 within

—

Handling of MW signals signals MW of Handling

records from BOST/COST/WORK UP ships (as soon as possible— as soon (as ships UP BOST/COST/WORK from records

— Receipt of data from MCMVs for subsequent analysis analysis subsequent for MCMVs from data of Receipt Assessment serials (generally during Operation PIKE), to evaluate evaluate to PIKE), Operation during (generally serials Assessment

assessment, reconstruction and analysis for Weapon Practice Practice Weapon for analysis and reconstruction assessment, Route Survey Data Base to MCMVs MCMVs to Base Data Survey Route

The main tasks of the COMMW Analysis section are to provide provide to are section Analysis COMMW the of tasks main The — Provision of Minewarfare Pilot data from the Hydrographers Hydrographers the from data Pilot Minewarfare of Provision

the facilities of the Mine Warfare Operational Analysis Tool. Tool. Analysis Operational Warfare Mine the of facilities the — Monitoring of MCM activities activities MCM of Monitoring

tastefully decorated with colourful plots and reconstructions highlighting highlighting reconstructions and plots colourful with decorated tastefully

— Calculation of MCM risk risk MCM of Calculation

the VEMs programming analyser and a "tall" Chief MW. The walls are are walls The MW. Chief "tall" a and analyser programming VEMs the

—Planning, tasking and evaluation of MCM effort effort MCM of evaluation and tasking —Planning,

useful boxes, analysis tools, a continuously heated coffee machine, machine, coffee heated continuously a tools, analysis boxes, useful

— Storage of Minewarfare Data Data Minewarfare of Storage secret with the door shut!) office is cluttered with numerous computers, computers, numerous with cluttered is office shut!) door the with secret

myself Lt Jennifer Gorringe. However the highly secure (cleared to to (cleared secure highly the However Gorringe. Jennifer Lt myself following primary functions: functions: primary following

The "team" consists of Wren Paula Mason, the weapon analyst and and analyst weapon the Mason, Paula Wren of consists "team" The MCM Commanders for their MCMTAs and MDT. It will provide the the provide will It MDT. and MCMTAs their for Commanders MCM

to COMMW as the MISS Manager, CINCFLEET,Area Flag Officers, Officers, Flag CINCFLEET,Area Manager, MISS the as COMMW to Warfare analyst. analyst. Warfare

hope for an In Service Date of late 93, early 94. It will be provided provided be will It 94. early 93, late of Date Service In an for hope I realise that the time has come to share the excitement of life as a Mine Mine a as life of excitement the share to come has time the that realise I

has now been placed with Computer Devices of Eastbourne. We We Eastbourne. of Devices Computer with placed been now has As I sit in the small office with bars across the opaque frosted windows, windows, frosted opaque the across bars with office small the in sit I As

• • Minewarfare Tactical Support System (MTSS). (MTSS). System Support Tactical Minewarfare

The contract contract The SANO UPDATE UPDATE SANO

Current projects include: include: projects Current

SMCDO concentrates on day to day MCM problems of the Flotilla. Flotilla. the of problems MCM day to day on concentrates SMCDO Lochinvar Block Block Lochinvar

suggests our areas of interest are with future developments whereas whereas developments future with are interest of areas our suggests The Group welcomes your ideas and views either by phone or visit to to visit or phone by either views and ideas your welcomes Group The

organisation also fall within my sub department. As the name name the As department. sub my within fall also organisation — EXTAC 843/Risk Evaluation Evaluation 843/Risk EXTAC

a structure similar to the other Warfare Groups. The Analysis Analysis The Groups. Warfare other the to similar structure a

— SAN DOWN Class OPEVAL OPEVAL Class DOWN SAN

CPO(MW) Clark with SWO designated as OIC MWTDG to maintain maintain to MWTDG OIC as designated SWO with Clark CPO(MW)

— Development of tactical procedures for the SANDOWN Class Class SANDOWN the for procedures tactical of Development

days of Dennis Selwood. The group consists of myself and and myself of consists group The Selwood. Dennis of days

— MCM reporting procedures procedures reporting MCM Tactical Development Group although somewhat thinned from the the from thinned somewhat although Group Development Tactical

Development part of the organisation is essentially the Minewarfare Minewarfare the essentially is organisation the of part Development — RTPM validation validation RTPM

Nicholson in Canada. As most of you will be aware the Minewarfare Minewarfare the aware be will you of most As Canada. in Nicholson

— Shallow Water MCM MCM Water Shallow

Steve Gobey in March. Steve has now moved on to relieve Dan Dan relieve to on moved now has Steve March. in Gobey Steve

— Review the RN MCM capability in support of Amphibious Ops Ops Amphibious of support in capability MCM RN the Review Having been SMCDO for some 15 months I took over from Lt Cdr Cdr Lt from over took I months 15 some for SMCDO been Having

— Protection of the MCMV in a hostile environment environment hostile a in MCMV the of Protection MWDO UPDATE UPDATE MWDO

In liaison with FOAS: FOAS: with liaison In

Officer. Officer.

of 93 early 94. 94. early 93 of When appropriate it will include notes from the relevant Staff Staff relevant the from notes include will it appropriate When

aspects of the Class and we are hopeful of an OPEVAL at the end end the at OPEVAL an of hopeful are we and Class the of aspects areas of interest within the Warfare Office sphere of responsibility. responsibility. of sphere Office Warfare the within interest of areas

• SANDOWN Class. Class. SANDOWN The Group is involved with all development development all with involved is Group The magazine and will aim to bring its readers up to date with some some with date to up readers its bring to aim will and magazine

It is intended that this section becomes a permanent addition to the the to addition permanent a becomes section this that intended is It 1:50,000 series instead of an AA Handbook. Handbook. AA an of instead series 1:50,000

detailed feature information to the user. The Ordnance Survey Survey Ordnance The user. the to information feature detailed and Diving, Diving, and the short title remains COMMW. COMMW. remains title short the

Survey Data Base (RSDB)MER 7/90 has been established, providing providing established, been has 7/90 (RSDB)MER Base Data Survey Commodore Minor War Vessels Minewarfare Minewarfare Vessels War Minor Commodore which is now the the now is which

To enhance the capabilities of MTTS a requirement for a Route Route a for requirement a MTTS of capabilities the enhance To representative. This has also incurred a change to COMMW title title COMMW to change a incurred also has This representative.

became part of COMMW. Tiny Timms is therefore SODs northern northern SODs therefore is Timms Tiny COMMW. of part became — User training training User

reflects the fact that as of 07 April the Superintendent of Diving Diving of Superintendent the April 07 of as that fact the reflects — Presentation of data recorded by MTSS during an operation operation an during MTSS by recorded data of Presentation

You will notice that Warrant Officer Timms has changed titles, this this titles, changed has Timms Officer Warrant that notice will You —Analysis of ship performance i.e. WPA and ORI ORI and WPA i.e. performance ship of —Analysis

Staff Officer COMMW (Northwood) (Northwood) COMMW Officer Staff 7848 7848 Lt Cdr Tim CURD CURD Tim Cdr Lt

Warfare Department Coordinator Coordinator Department Warfare 64219/64733 64219/64733 Mrs. Barbara DUFF DUFF Barbara Mrs.

Asst SPNO SPNO Asst 63369 63369 CPO(SR) Sam COULTER COULTER Sam CPO(SR)

Staff Precise Navigation Officer Officer Navigation Precise Staff 62973 62973 Lt Cdr Any HOLT HOLT Any Cdr Lt

Staff Officer SOD SOD Officer Staff 64228 64228 WO(D) Tiny TIMMS TIMMS Tiny WO(D)

Staff Mining Officer Officer Mining Staff 629733/63369 629733/63369 WO(MW) Barney BARNET BARNET Barney WO(MW)

Staff MCM Officer Officer MCM Staff 64228 64228 WO(MW) Bob BAKER BAKER Bob WO(MW)

Deputy SMCDO SMCDO Deputy 64228 64228 Lt Richard HILL HILL Richard Lt

Staff MCD Officer Officer MCD Staff 64227 64227 Lt Cdr John STAVELEY STAVELEY John Cdr Lt

Asst SANO SANO Asst 62494 62494 Wrn Paula MASON MASON Paula Wrn

(tbrb Lt Anne LUCAS Sept 92) 92) Sept LUCAS Anne Lt (tbrb

Staff Analysis Officer Officer Analysis Staff 622494 622494 Lt. Jennifer GORRINGE GORRINGE Jennifer Lt.

Route Survey Officer Officer Survey Route 64241 64241 Mr Harry PARKER PARKER Harry Mr

(tbrb CPO(MW) Peter CAWSEY CAWSEY Peter CPO(MW) (tbrb

Asst MWDO MWDO Asst 62494 62494 CPO(MW) Nobby CLARK CLARK Nobby CPO(MW)

Minewarfare Development Officer Officer Development Minewarfare 64733 64733 Lt Cdr Frank WARD WARD Frank Cdr Lt

Staff Warfare Officer Officer Warfare Staff 64219 64219 Cdr Dougy MacDONALD MacDONALD Dougy Cdr

A number of personnel changes have taken place since the last issue, as at June 92 we are: are: we 92 June at as issue, last the since place taken have changes personnel of number A www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk

Notes from the Warfare Office

performance achieved during a Weapon Practice against a standard SOSO D UP DATE criteria. Thorough magnetic tape and manuscript records enable us to You may have read by now in DCI 140/92 that as of the 7th April the produce full data reduction and analysis. The results of the WPA, Superintendent of Diving and his subordinate staffs have been including pictorial views of procedures (see diagrams), a tote of the subsumed by the Commodore Minor War Vessels (COMMW), this number of mines detected and classified, track keeping ability, RCM DV is in continuance of the FLEETMAN re-organisation. In layman's run times and a Measure of Performance (MOP), are reported back to terms this now means that SOD is no longer directly responsible to ship and squadron and databased for future analysis. COMMW for providing Diving, EOD, and IEDD services to the Commander in Chief Fleet. Although SOD remains, at this time, The MOP is sometimes incorrectly taken as an absolute value, located within his Portsmouth headquarters, he has become a forgetting that differing conditions and equipment states have combined Head of Department within the COMMW organisation, represented to retard or enhance the results. A qualifying comment is given to on a daily basis in the Rosyth by Warrant Officer (Diver) "Tiny" temper the percentage. Timms. As in all fields of analysis the Analyst treads a precarious path where On a mechanical note, the six basic DUOCOMs used within the every comment is seen as a criticism and long held "anti-analysis" MCMV flotilla are slowing disappearing. Due tothe efforts of various prejudices are more difficult to counter than a minefield of MANTAs! interested parties in past years to enhance the safety aspects of the The sea-riding of WPA ships is a most useful part of the analysis DUOCOMs, the chambers are now undergoing a metamorphic process.lt is also a somewhat disturbing experience—last year the change to update ageing design and increase safety, these converted IVESTON thought that they had the first "woman overboard" as I chambers are known as DUOCOM (HOULDER VARIANTS). Four personally negotiated better sea conditions for WANS on a dark stormy of the chambers have been converted with the last pair going for (sea state 1/2!) morning. Thankfully Wren Mason is untroubled by any modification before too long. Once all six chambers have undergone turbulance and covers for me in the Ops room when I am indisposed. conversion it is intended to place four in operational MCMVs, retain The analyst tries not seem smug but having sat at the back of the Ops one as base "Hot Spare" and transfer the last chamber to the Diving room for a few hours "noting things" while everyone else has plenty to School to allow formal training to be undertaken. Oh and as one last do gives them the right to utter a quiet, sinister laugh as the ship passes point for all concerned Diving First Lieutenants that may be reading over another known mine position. No, of course we are not like that— this missive, the refurbished chambers are painted "Pussers Grey" believe me! so you will not have to suffer the yellow cromated objects sitting in Complain as we do about our sea time as "non-volunteers" the PIKE your Pap wells. period provides us with best records for analysis. Good records from Warrant Officer (Diver) TIMMS completed serials provide us months of interesting work. A TON class Staff Officer To the Superintendent of Diving WPA is an added joy as it sends us back to real analysis methods with everything done by hand. The VEM has recently returned to the scene STAFF MCM OFFICER UPDATE after a years absence. This will hopefully cause the re-emergence of This is the desk which covers current MCM operational and personnel/ more Mine Sweeping analysis! training issues at the relevant level. That single sentence covers a job Analysis, well that is it; the job we were trained for, our raison d'etre. So which ranges from explosive trials to assessing whether a question in the next time you are tasked to conduct a recorded serial do not be a task book is relevant or not. Below I've attempted to summarise perplexed about somebody assessing you—we only do it because we issues that I'm involved with at the moment. enjoy it and if we didn't there would be no numbers, statistics, figures, Mechanical Sweeping plots, diagrams for everyone to puzzle over! DGUW are at present undertaking a complete review of mechanical So while you are out there at the sharp-end we are back here, happily mine-sweeping stores, with a view to making as many components as analysing away, planning exercise minefields, filling databases and possible interchangeable between the various sweeps. drawing conclusions where conclusions need to be drawn. Please From the tactical side, the original ATS and Oropesa FLOMS have remember we are always available to discuss or explain any analysis gone forward to MOTIs and are currently being incorporated into BRs. or recording queries. In drafting both documents we had attempted to make the instructions Jennifer Gorringe Lt Wrns user friendly and relevant. However, we are particularly keen to SANO receive any feedback (positive or negative) which might help us to improve these or any other MCM publications. Influence Sweeping MSSA Mk1 and MS 14 have been amalgamated for all practical purposes, and are now referred to as Combined Influence Sweep (CIS). Some items of the equipment are currently undergoing a modification programme designed to improve reliability and maintainability. Within the warfare office, the system specialist, should advice be required, is CPO(MW) Clarke. He is the author of all of the FLOMS and signals which originate from COMMW on this subject (see separate article). RCMDS MK 1 and MK 2 As a result of lessons learned in the Gulf conflict, a FLOM (2/92) has been published to disseminate improved operating procedures. This information will be incorporated in relevant BRs in the not too distant future. The introduction and acceptance into service of the sonar type 2059 for the Mk 1 RCMDS is covered in the FLOM and make its use the Standard Operating Procedure. The rationale behind the introduction of sonar type 2059, is to improve operational effectiveness by reducing mean mission time. For example:- If mean mission time can be reduced by 5 minutes and eachship is conducting twelve runs per day, that represents 1 hour of additional Good avoidance of Mine Damage Radius 34 www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk Notes (continued)

hunting time a day. To an MCM a-7 a .7:-.,:_aoron of five control cabinets before, no problems. ships, that means an extra 5 hours - - -.2 2-- SOA of 2.5 7. Tactically, the introduction of the Target Setting Mode (TSM) is the knots that means an extra 12.5 7 SS Ea-a-c.=-. a day! main event of the decade. Details are shown in the replacement chapter 11 to BR 8513(2C1) issued under FLOM 4/92, read it and Drill Mine Lay and Recovery weep. A FLOM detailing instructions for TSM Leadthrough operations A recent amendment forwarded tc ma ssE-._- -a- include is in production and should be at the printers June 92. a recovery strop in the rig for lay : a-: . - - - mine. The Sweep Configuration purpose of this improvement is tc - _ — --. tc deploy a 8. A more realistic ship signature has been produced by shortening the gemini when recovering and as ata . —: . -.a: . t. mes. MSSA1 Tow cable. The Acoustic Influence (TAG) is now immediately astern of the Magnetic influence. The intelligent Muppet might deduce Warfare Branch Development that ships with their propellers offset to starboard of the stern are few The future of the Warfare Branches ma :11.,S-.-ce is being examined but its a step in the right direction. Future MS14/MSSA1 developments at present, with a view to improvir: s-- a.a s a-: cb content. This is may allow the Acoustic influence to be centralised, but don't hold your being done by a team from DNfsir a - E.- S7- S well advanced. It breath, that's in the future. looks almost certain that from ma :;:-= ceople joining the Note: The equipment supplier and Loop sheds (Dennis/Jumper) have warfare branch will be trained as - -s and maintainers. received advance notification of the revised lengths and serving Those already in the Ops and WE t: -a- - s : . - the opportunity measurements but there may be the odd rogue cable about. Check to cross train. your Tow cable at each change. It looks like the future MW Wir 2a, "a:- "a::: — a main and repair the 9. MSSA1 Tow Cable Servings have changed as well, not only position equipment which he currently : z a a .a ' , _ a will the cry "shake but also the cordage used. 4 stranded cordage is now obsolete and 6 the WEO" be heard emanat — -oom. Instead, the strand too big to allow cable clamps to be fitted. 5mm diameter braided Operator Maintainer (MW) will ze 7: :-ciJble shoot and repair Polyester (Signal Halyard) is the replacement. The material for MS14 the fault himself, only resorting tc a - : ,:hen the problem gets servings remains Cord Polyester Plaited Matt finish 8 strand 6.5mm. too difficult technically. 10.Damaged MSSA1 Tow cables that have been returned to stores for repair may be re-issued as a shortened Exercise (Drill) cable. Marked Finally—My Relief with a Yellow sleeve at 16 and 248m, the exercise cable may be used By publication date Warrant Officer Bob Baker will have taken over for streaming and drills except when sweeping VEMs. The use of from me, and I am off into civvy street to pursue another career. Best cables which cannot be repaired to operational standards is an obvious regards for the future to all within the two branches. 'cost saver'; and will allow inexperienced Bridge and Sweep deck teams to practise their art 'economically'. John Docherty WO(MW) Current Snags SMCMO 11. Restrictions were placed on MSSA1 output in Nov. 91. Mk 2 Mod 1 TAGs were self-destructing because of two mechanical defects. One HUNT CLASS MHSC—COMBINED INFLUENCE problem has been resolved by using Mk 2 Mod 0 TAGs and modification SWEEPING of the Mod 1 to Mod 2. The other problem is not so easily solved and 1.Just a brief dit on the current status of CIS. For full details see FLOM will involve modifications to the Control Cabinet. The modifications will 15/91 (CIS extant documentation) and FLOM 4/92 (Revised Operating be trialled in May and if successful, a program of modifications will Procedures). follow. Be warned, the restriction still applies at present. Read all about 2. Recent rapid CIS developments have meant that the Operators (and it in FLOM 15/91 items 11 and 12. Maintainers) documentation is continually being updated. Rest assured Documentation though, your friendly Mine Warfare Development representative will 12. Operating instructions have been brought up to date in the keep you informed of the latest changes, (if you read the FLOMs that replacement chapters to BR 8513(2C1) and (2C2) issued at FLOM 4/ is). 92. These are with the DNW Naval Staff Author and will be included in Current Status the next change to each BR. 3. MSSA1 Closed Loop operations were stopped in 1990 after trials 13. Maintainers instructions. BR 8512(1) (SURs) were updated as an analysis showed no benefits to be gained from its continued use. enclosure to FLOM 4/92. DGUW have initiated a major updating CAAIS Acoustic Sweep facilities remain available but are not to be program for the remainder of the CIS handbooks. used. They will be removed from the operational program at a convenient The Future time, possibly at the NAVPAC/CAAIS software rewrite. They have 14. Undoubtedly, Influence sweeping remains a valuable asset in become obsolete due to the withdrawal of Closed Loop operations and MCM. With 13 platforms capable of using CIS it is a major weapon because the use of CIS in the 90s is Multi-Influence, ie. Acoustic and system in the MW arsenal. The HUNT Mid Life Update will probably be Magnetic, and the calculations are for a single influence only (Acoustic). the catalyst for major change but smaller developments will continue 4. Towed Acoustic Monitor (TAM) has been retained for its role in the to be introduced. Look out for instrumentation to display TAG RAM collection of the transmission loss factors k1 and k2. The processed Balancing later this year. results of k1 and k2 data collection are stored in an environmental data The Statement base within CIS DREAMT and used in pre and post tasking calculations. DGUW (UW215A) and COMMW (AMWDO) working with you the The future use of k1 and k2 values is currently being examined by Operator to make a better and brighter Mine Sweeping environment. DGUW with a view to withdrawal of the TAM, watch out for more FLOMs! Nobby Clark CPO(MW) Note: CIS DREAMT is the tasking tool used by the Tasking Authority AMWDO to calculate the optimum outputs for the sweep. GRANBY enhancements. 5. The Mine threat for Operation GRANBY brought about significant changing Engineering and Tactical use. These enhancements have obvious benefits for UK use and have been retained for the future. 6. The Combined Sweep Control Unit (CSCU) was introduced allowing the two influences to interact more efficiently. Use of the CSCU has also removed much of the mystery surrounding setting up of the control cabinets. At last the operator can use the controls with ease and safety, depending on the operator concerned. We know it works, it was tested on a bunch of Australian Diving Officers who had never seen CIS 35 www.mcdoa.org.uk

www.mcdoa.org.uk

Response Page

PLUNDER AND 13ANK(Ti 1 EDITOR SOLICITORS Your Name ACn Fok .0.. Your Rank/Rate

Your Job Title

Your Unit

Your Address

Your Tel. No

Your FAX No

The Editor "Minewarfare And Diving" Magazine MDT Department of SMOPS HMS NELSON (GUNWHARF) Portsmouth Hants P01 3HH FAX: 0705 822351 Ext 24705

Dear Editor,

1. I have read this edition from cover to cover and I think:

(a) It's terrific - keep up the good work

(b) It's OK - but you need more

(c) It's no good - because

2. Please find attached my contribution towards the continued success of "Minewarfare And Diving" Magazine. It is:

(a) a written article / Letter To The Editor, typed, double spaced and word-counted.

❑ ❑ No. of items. (b) a photograph ❑ / slide / diagram

of

(c) less than RESTRICTED in classification

3. I realise that the Magazine publication dates are 1 Jun / 1 Dec of each year, and that by sending my article in today it will arrive at least six weeks before the next edition is due out.

4. I would/would not like my material/contribution returned on completion of printing.

5. I understand that inclusion of my contribution, in whole or in part, is at the discretion of the Editorial Committee, but that if I am to be considered for either of the prizes associated with each edition, I must be prepared to have a "grip and grin" mugshot taken and published.

Yours

Signed

36 www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk

BIG BADGE CHALLENGE IV

Dear Editor, BIG BADGE CHALLENGE IV—DEEPWATER Answers To Big Badge Challenge IN (BBCIV) The answer to the Where? When? Why? question is to be found within the pages of "HMS VERNON A SHORT HISTORY from 1930 to 1955" by Commander E. D. Webb RN (Published by the Wardroom Mess Many replies were received in response to the Big Badge Committee HMS VERNON in 1956). Challenge IV in the June 1991 edition of the MAD Magazine. Three of the best and most humorous answers from John When HMS VERNON (D) in Brixham, the wartime home of the Chapple EDU Ontario, Mr John Whatling and "Stan" of diving VERNON diving organisation closed down at the end of 1945, personnel theory are published below. and responsibilities returned to HMS VERNON in Portsmouth. At this No disrespect is intended by publishing the most humorous time HMS TEDWORTH became a tender to VERNON to carry out reply to any such competition and it is hoped no offence will be deep diving training and experimental work. taken, in keeping with the spirit of the magazine. In March 1946 the ex-German ship WALTER HOLTZAPPEL commissioned as HMS DEEPWATER and relieved HMS TEDWORTH as the deep diving tender to HMS VERNON. She was berthed alongside the Whitehead jetty, north of Vernon Creek, and was commanded by the Superintendent of diving, whose experimental diving unit (AEDU) she also accommodated.

HMS RECLAIM commissioned as the deep-diving tender in June 1948 and relieved HMS DEEPWATER of any further sea going responsibilities, thus allowing DEEPWATER to settle closer to the wall with the sole duty of "Diving School".

Yours Aye JON CHAPPLE Lt Cdr RN

Dear Sir, The badge is of VERNONS diving tender DEEPWATER. In March 1946 the ex German WALTER HOLTZAPPEL was commissioned as DEEPWATER and relieved TEDWORTH as deep diving tender to VERNON. GLASS FIGURINES A smaller tender the ex-German LUMME was also commissioned and as CLEARWATER at the same time. For any persons interested in ordering Glass Divers, Golfers and a whole range of sporting DEEPWATER was berthed north of Vernon creek on the Whitehead Figures, T & M Figurines now stock the entire jetty. I well remember doing my S. W. divers test dive from her in 1957 whilst stationed at VERNON II in Stokes Bay. range, with prices starting at only Twenty-Four Pounds. Keep up the good work with the magazine "it's great".

For full details and a current price list contact: Yours Aye Tony Sexton at T & M Figurines, 17 Grove John Whatling Road North, Portsmouth, HANTS P05 1JJ or Telephone and Fax on 0705-823470. Dear Editor, DIVING THEORY'S THEORY The badge shown was actually combined from two different sources. The DEEPWATER part was originally a sign that read "WARNING DEEPWATER" which was fixed to the bulkhead of the 3M level of the EMBROIDERED NAME BADGES diving trials tank. It was put there to warn all the MCD officers acquiring their minutes not to go deeper than the sign. If they did they were in danger of becoming confused and tended to concentrate on correct For those persons interested in ordering Diving, drills and use of tables instead of just concentrating on getting their fins Minewarfare, overalls or No. 8 embroidered on the right way up. badges, the service has been assumed by Roger The second half was adapted from a doodle found on the Diving Sawell of Rainbow's End, Shamrock Quay, Planning office message pad, believed to have been drawn by CPO(D) William Street, Southampton, Hants, SO1 IQL. John Malham RN (Rtd) one wet Wednesday afternoon after he had Details and prices are available on request, care finished the Sun crossword. of the above address, or TeL 0703-223434. Yours Aye Stan. 37 www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk

BIG BADGE CHALLENGE V

The badge illustrated above belongs to an historical RN unit. The challenge for this issue is: What? Why? Please send your answers, dits and pics to The Editor MAD Magazine. The best replies will be published in the next edition of MAD. Stories generated from BIG BADGE CHALLENGE IV (DEEPWATER) are on page 37 of this edition. Any badges considered suitable for inclusion in future challenges, gratefully received and returned.

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