ARFARE & DIVING

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Contents

Foreword by Commander Simon Nicholson RN 1

Diving Standards & Diving Safety 2

Ed's Note 3

Coniston Chronicle 4

Operation TELIC 9

Fleet Diving Unit 3 12

Op TELIC MCM 15

The Development, Training & Operation of a Shallow Water Influence Minesweeping System 18

Ships Diver Continuation Training 22

What now for the ships diver? 24

The Military Diving Safety Management System 27

3 years at Abbey Wood 29

A fishy tale 32 a note on the RNLI 34

RN Divers & the USS Monitor Expedition 2002 37

Northern Diving Group 40

The Minewarfare & Clearance Diving Officers' Association 44

Who said size doesn't matter 45

The Graphics Media Centre, Flagship Training Limited, HMS DRYAD. Publisher: Robert Smith Design: Henry Sabini

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

Commander Simon Nicholson RN Superintendent of Diving

In a year where all aspects of Minewarfare, Diving and EOD have been so prominent in world-wide Royal Naval operations it is an honour to be invited to write the forward to this excellent magazine. Beginning with mine warfare, the inspired and pro-active decision to deploy MMs to the Gulf well in advance of OP TELIC set in motion a train of events which resulted in the complete success of MCM operations in support of the war in Iraq. Innovative thinking, rapid procurement to meet the threat and practising our war fighting skills at unit level meant that when the call came nothing was found wanting. The MCMTA was prepared, 6 MMs were on task and all the necessary support was in place. Particular successes such as SWIMS and minesweeping from a mine hunter whilst simultaneously hunting are all represented in this edition and are a testament to the well-focused professionalism of the branch. MMs were deployed first, stayed the longest, got the job done and then came home terrific! Oh yes and whilst that was going on the day jobs continued unabated; Exercises, NATO Standing Forces, Fishery Protection, Visits and other general RN tasks. As ever, a busy year. The diving and EOD tasking completed during Op TELIC was also very impressive and there are separate articles about those operations in this magazine. The work done by the Fleet Diving squadron played a significant role in the successful military outcome of the war and all involved can be justifiably proud of their efforts. Small teams from NDG and SDG continue to be deployed all over the UK to deal with many differing incidents. Some are exciting and some are routine but the impression I get from talking to the teams is that the jobs are professionally rewarding and contain enough elements of fun to keep the enthusiasm going. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate CPO CARRS on his QGM. A big old WWII bomb in Pompey dockyard certainly got everyone's attention and SDU2 showed the branch at it's best. Turning to diving equipment, I will not try and sugar the pill here as you are all well aware of the setbacks we have suffered during the past months. That being said I am confident that the correct actions have and are being taken to ensure we get diving equipment which is fit for task and as safe as can reasonably be achieved. The introduction of upgraded CDBA and SABA will both increase our operational capability and give us safer sets. I sincerely hope the new equipment will prove to be more reliable than it's predecessor however you must look after it and make sure all the required maintenance is professionally done. In summary there is no doubt that the Minewarfare and Clearance Diver Branches remain an essential and valuable part of the Royal Navy's operational capability, our people are well trained, highly motivated and respected for their abilities at the very highest levels of the Service. The challenges are many and the articles in this magazine show how well you have all continued to deal with them.

www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk Diving Standards & Diving Safety

Cdr Simon Nicholson RN, Superintendent of Diving

The introduction of the Diving not matter if the job is a unmarked night attack Standards Team, Diving Standards Checks in nil vis or a "seabed survey" off Falmouth, and the requirement for a comprehensive misfortune can creep up on either operation with Diving Safety Management System will by tragic effect if your guard is down. now be familiar to all divers. The rationale The Diving Standards Team exists for for these changes is simple; military diving two reasons, primarily to ensure the highest is a challenging business and carries with it a standards of safety are being maintained across significant amount of risk. It is not my intention all aspects of military diving and secondly to to create a risk-shy diving branch, quite the provide an avenue for advice and help when opposite. As an important element of a fighting required. A Diving Standards Check will be force you need to be able to operate in risky rigorous so early liaison to get it right will pay situations in a winning manner. Therefore a dividends. culture of risk managing, not risk avoiding must The Diving Safety Management System be the way ahead. Put simply this means every is firmly established now and should be in place diver and supervisor should consider each task in all units which operate divers. It is there as using the "what-if" principal and then formulate a a management tool to check if we are getting plan to mitigate the risks as much as possible, the it right and to quickly identify areas where new format S288 is designed to help this process. improvement is necessary. The engine that makes The final requirement is constant vigilance when it work is your team so use it and encourage diving operations are taking place, it really does others to keep a lively interest in Diving Safety.

www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk Ed's Note

Lt Cdr Chris Baldwin RN SWOMCD Editor

We did it! Finally got enough copy for area and beyond preceded the announcement that another edition of the MAD Mag. Apologies to HMS DRYAD will close as a Royal Navy all those who have been waiting for establishment by summer next year. COOK publication...but without enough copy I simply Building will be enclaved and used until 2007. cannot get the value out of the cost of The Mine Warfare Training Unit will move to publication. Many thanks to all those who have COLLINGWOOD around Easter 2004 and so contributed and all I can say is that the MAD will have spent just 9 years at DRYAD since Mag can only survive if YOU want it to. In leaving VERNON. The HUNT and SANDOWN future my policy will be that I will accept items Class simulators will be on the road again! of interest at anytime and will compile an edition Though issues remain to be solved, everyone as soon as there is enough to go to print...so realises that the King Canute approach will prove please send me some stuff! futile as ever. So the plan for the move has been I've been languishing in my ivory tower meticulously conceived by OIC Lt Cdr Tom - well OK brick 3 storey building - with the Russell. WO (MW) Tommo Thomas and the Command and Advanced Warfare Training Unit. ubiquitous CP0(MW)(`Triremes were great but keeping an ear out for the jungle drums and Minesweepers') Taff Reader. So Mine Warfare hearing about various exploits in the Diving and will have yet another home for inclusion in its Mine Warfare community. Actually I have life history. managed to keep myself busy: Six more Clearly there are some exciting Advanced Mine Warfare courses; a RNR Mine developments occurring in both halves of the Warfare Staff course; Common Time Sea Week community. with the PWO course; being the T23 simulator OP TELIC demonstrated some fantastic tutor; acting as staff CO for PWO and initiatives on the part of our colleagues and as International PWO courses all of which have most people will know was reflected in several provided their own diversions. (OK I admit it awards to those involved in the action. It goes I'm empire building. I wanted to fill the jobs box without saying that I believe everyone who took on my OJAR (206) report.) On a more serious part and indeed those still involved have done a and tragic note. I was also the MCD holding the great job. The feedback from the non MW and D short straw when it came to selecting a technical personnel that I come across in my job is advisor for the Board of Inquiry for Lieutenant universally positive and similarly the impression McAuley's death at the end of last year. Of from my frequent visits to BE/NL MW School is course. and in my view quite understandably, the that the RN's MW capability is held in the RN Diving Community are still adjusting to the highest regard. So I hope this year's MAD is of new safety regimes that modern practices interest and that we continue to record the demand. exploits of the Mine Warfare and Diving There have been some major changes Specialisations. since the last publication of MAD with regard to what was then known as SMOPS. The creation of the Maritime Warfare School. incorporating all Note: Editions of MAD are archived at the Royal the training establishments in the Portsmouth .Vail• Libraty.

www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk Coniston Chronicle Minewarfare Training at the Maritime Warfare School

CPO Taff Reader

Introduction

Life has changed drastically in the Collingwood. Needless to say a big part of the training organisation since the last update in this last 12 months has been spent on the preparation magazine. The school of knowledge has changed and negotiating for space which is at an absolute from being a Section to a Unit. The Training premium. With very little funding available Department has turned into a Training Group. for new buildings and a remit to utilising all and the Staff Officer Minewarfare into an OIC spare capacity you can imagine it's not been Minewarfare. All this before the big move of the easy. However all said and done we have come Unit from Dryad to Collingwood. through it with the unit being together and whilst Throughout all this, the Unit has not as close to our practical areas as we have continued to keep the training cycle churning. been used to in the past. they are still within easy despite the added pressure and commitments to reach. The unit will cease training in Dryad at the OP Tellic. the fireman's strike, and the inevitable end of March 04. transfer to Collingwood over gapping of instructional staff. During 2003. we Easter leave, and start the summer term hopefully added another 24 MWO's, 11 PO's. 18 LOM's with no loss to training. You'll find us on the and some 70 0M2's to the fleet. Whilst also First floor of Marlborough block half way along. giving TEM's and P.IT's too many others. In Easily recognisable by the 2 black mines either addition the Unit has also provided training to side of the door in the foyer. The Commodores several other countries, most notably completing not seen them yet. but we need to show them the batch two crews for the Royal Saudi Navy. we've arrived. Needless to say not only are you The next 12 months is also likely to be welcome to come visit us in our new home. but a very challenging period for us. On the training strongly encouraged. This will be our new house front we have several issues to keep the staff on for many years to come. the ball. The Introduction of Early Crew Training for the Hunt Class ships as they prepare to be Life with the Techy's fitted with 2193. is now coming on line with the first ship HMS HURWORTH due to commence One of the great advantages to the training early Feb 04. From April 05, Hunt transfer has been the opportunity to join up training will cease while the Units Hunt COT with our technical counterparts. For us this gets upgraded and instructors produce the new happened in advance of the move, as April last documentation for 2193 training. Work is also year we amalgamated with the MFP platform progressing on the removal of the maintenance in Collingwood. thus creating an Operator and modules from 0M2 to LOM courses, after Technical element in the Unit. The last nine the decision to cease maintainer training for months have been spent looking at ways we can Minewarfare Ratings. Whilst in the background benefit each other. this has already starting to pay to all this staff will be preparing documentation dividends as we share knowledge and experience. for the next round of RNSF training likely to start and our training equipment is being better in early 05. All this at a time when career course maintained now than it has ever been in the past. are likely to be running at above maximum We are also utilising the Tech instructors to teach capacity. To really cap a busy year the MWS some lessons on career courses such as RCMDS are committed to transfer to Collingwood by Preps. While the WEO DWEO courses will be September 04. With the MWTU conducting its benefiting from joining into our sea training move to Collingwood in April 04 and this with periods. little or no disruptions to training. a tall order to say the least! 2193 Training

Transfer of Unit to HMS Collingwood 2004 sees the introduction to service of the 2193 sonar and Nautis 3 system. As with any I am sure by now everyone must be new equipment it comes with training package aware that we are moving our training to and this is no different. The 193 Trainer staff of

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Lt Paul Mcdermott, CPO Scouse Rippon and PO of you at sea feel it first hand by the gaps that Taff Owen have been working hard behind the are created, particularly at PO level. For those scenes providing specialist advice, reviewing of you wanting to progress life has never been software, and preparing lesson plans not only better. Promotion is now available at first shout for the Early Crew Training but for future at just about every level, with places available on career courses. They have also had the task of every career course. The World is your Oyster. overseeing the fitting out and setting up of a state Your career in your hands. Grasp the opportunity of the art CBT suite, and the yet to be named and see you Divisional Officer or senior rate 2193 COT on our new site in Collingwood. The NOW! CBT is now up and running and will be in use for the ECT. However the 2193 COT is not likely Awaydays to be ready until later this year. The good old Arcturus 193 trainer which has done us proud for so many years is now deemed to be beyond economical repair and will not be moved. It is due to be de-commissioned in April this year and either sold on or scrapped. The knock on effect to the move of the unit to Collingwood, and the late arrival of the 2193 COT will be that during the Summer and Autumn terms this year all career courses will be taught on the Sandown System. Ship crews arriving for ECT; will spend time in Templecoombe, utilising the manufacturers set. While not ideal, along with the CBT. it should give them a good introduction to the equipment. All being well 2193 career training should commence in January 05.

_ Income Generation Training Winners 2003 As anyone who has spent some time in the unit will tell you, income generation is never With a training programme that has far away. Beavering away in the background very little slack. It becomes very hard to provide Flagship always pops up just when you think it's everyone with the adventurous training or time quiet with a little bit of extra training. The start away from the coalface that they deserve. It was of last year saw us complete the training package even harder to try and coordinate it for all the for the RNSF. Easy life we thought as we used instructors to be free at the same time. Keen to the break to redesign our IG courses. but it is build up the teamspirit when the MFP platform short lived, as the next round of RNSF training joined the unit, it was hoped to be able to go on is due to start in early 05. Mind you there are an Exped. However just a glance at the training some benefits to I G training, as I am sure Larry programme showed we would never find enough Lamph will agree. Larry spent several periods in time. So it was that the MineWarfare awayday Korea assisting flagship in conducting trials on was born. One day programmed into every their minesweeping equipment. This year as well term when the unit could close down for a team as the usual flow of Canadian. Australian, and building day. American students through our career courses. It started with Orienteering and a bar-b- It looks like we will be doing further training in Que. at Queen Elizabeth Country Park. The unit country for the Koreans. Whilst also sending staff split into teams with the first team to complete to Nigeria and Morocco to give an introduction the route without cheating, winning the MW into Minewarfare training. Challenge Trophy. It was such a success that it has been repeated again, and now looks like Promotion Prospect's being an annual event. In between we have also managed to go bowling, orienteering around a The MineWarfare branch just like the rest of the course in London. and survive the pubs! And this navy is going through a period of turmoil with winter enjoyed a good old-fashioned ships games a shortage of manpower at just about every rate. afternoon. At the school we see the effect by the lower Without doubt all were successful. numbers attending career courses. I am sure those and achieved the objective of bringing the unit

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together during some busy terms when even a Minewarfare Re-union day out breaks the routine. If anyone out their wants to try them out then why not give me a call 2003 saw the Sixth Minewarfare re- for info. Union. Split over 2 nights. it started with a informal B-B-Que. on the Friday evening at Dryad. giving a chance for a quite evening when Removal of Maintainer Training everyone could spin dit's of days gone by. It It's been talked about on numerous also showed that Taff Davies ably assisted by Jan occasions, but now it's finally happening. Takel is still the King of Bar-B-Q's. The Saturday After a study by Fleet, it has been agreed that saw everyone get together for the main re-union maintenance training is not sustainable. As from at the United Services Club in HMS Temeraire. Apr 04, the maintainer Module will cease for all Yet another success despite the over zealous DJ OM's and LOM's. Ship schemes of compliments who seemed hell bent on playing the music to will be adjusted with OM (W)'s taking over loud for everyone to talk. or the bland food. that the maintenance tasks. For us it's been a very reminded everyone why Pusser's chefs have such busy few months adjusting the planned courses a good reputation. But I think everyone will to remove these modules without having long agree that it was a good get together helped along periods on holdover. This has been particularly by Paddy Daly's raffle which raised enough so with the 0M2 courses, which have a lot of money to subsidise the drinks for quite a while. outside modules, planned well in advance. From a personal point of view it was heartening to see yet another good turn out, especially by

Manpower Bungy - Any ideas what he is trying to do?

This year has seen yet another fast turnaround of staff, but for the first time since I can remember, (and that's a long while). It looks like that by Feb 04. we will be fully manned. We've even managed to change the 2 Hills into the infamous 2 Russell's just to confuse everyone. As always there is a lot of coming and going, so anyone wanting a Pompey draft the school is the place to be. Despite many reservations, I think most staff will agree that being an instructor can be very rewarding, and is always good to have in your write ups. Below is a list of the current staff:

OIC MWTU Lt Cdr Tom Russell

Officers Training PO's Training LOM's Training

MWI Lt Cdr Tim Russell MW2 Lt Paul McDermott MW 3 Lt Cdr 'Jack' Mc Williams MWOIH CPO Alan Mills POIH CPO Campbell LOMIH PO 'Bagsy' Baker MWOIS CPO Bob Mitchell POTS CPO George Atkinson LOMIS PO 'Taff' Coates MWCSI Jan Takel

OM's Training Sandown Trainer Staff Hunt Trainer Staff

RTOMW WO Tommo Thomas STC CPO 'Paddy' Daly HTC CPO 'Scouse' Rippon OMIH PO Jamie Dawson STD PO 'Ginge' Ableson HTD PO 'Taff' Owen OMIS PO Nobby Clark STO Mr Steve Cross HTO LOM 'H' Harrison

Admin and Support

MW Manager CPO Taff Reader MWTFC PO Sterling Moss MW Admin Mrs K Bray

www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk the younger element of the branch. It makes all the hard work worth while. The 2004 Re - Union will reach the planning stage soon, once Tony Mulrain settles into the chair. It's likely to be in September again so keep your diaries clear. In the meantime. If you have any ideas of venues, which you think would suit then please. drop me a line or give me a call.

Leavers from service 2003

A lot of good guy's left the service in 2003. Here are a few that we saw pass through the doors to Civvy Street via the Unit Lt Cdr Paul Raisbeck, CPO Taff Davies, PO Steve Westby, PO Nobby Clark, PO Simmo Duggan (alias Simmons). Our thanks go to all of them not only for there time in the service, but the way they continued to dedicate time to training whilst preparing for the new careers.

Taff Davies being presented with a glass mine by OIC Lt Cdr Tom Russell on leaving the service in Nov 03

www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk Operation TELIC The Fleet Diving Squadron at War

Lt Cdr John Herriman RN

As tension in the Gulf region rose Commander Task Unit and they brought with towards the end of 2002 and coalition forces them the Marine Mammal System (dolphins) started to build, it became evident that there was and Unmanned Underwater Vehicles for going to be a requirement for clearance diving remote MCM searches. They also had a diving expertise. Not knowing exactly what this was element consisting of USN SEALS. USMC going to be or even if it would be required. Reconnaissance and USN EOD Technicians. a team from the Fleet Diving Squadron was Additionally. they had the considerable logistics formed in November 2002. Because of the and material support that is the hallmark of US scale of possible harbour clearance missions operations. The Australians. similar to FDS and other tasks the on call Joint Rapid Reaction in structure, provided additional clearance Force unit. Fleet Diving Unit 3. were designated diving expertise and the roles for both were the as the lead team with Very Shallow Water same, clearing berths and jetties and diving on expertise from Fleet Diving Unit 2. Improvised unknown items of ordnance located by UUVs Explosive Device Disposal specialists from and dolphins, in addition to providing EOD and Southern Diving Unit 2. and the Warrant Officer IEDD support. and POMA from the Fleet Diving Group to The FDS embarked on board USS provide HQ and medical support. Equipment GUNSTON HALL on 7 March for further scales were enhanced for both diving and E0D, training and final preparations in the Northern communications equipment was procured Arabian Gulf, just 20 nautical miles off the to support extended and remotely deployed coast of Iraq. FDS was committed to providing operations. and personnel were given military helicopter EOD support against drifting mines skills training to allow them to survive and and this and other training was conducted as fight in a hostile theatre where the threat ranged awareness of missile and fast patrol boat attack from chemical attack to sniper activity. This increased. Tension gradually rose and the was supported by specialist EOD training and outcome was inevitable, FDS heard that war briefings, particularly regarding minefields and was declared on 19 March and the team was booby traps at DEODS and 33 Regiment Royal put on immediate notice for harbour clearance. Engineers. It was an intense period with very Intelligence suggested that the threat levels little time off and the focus was on ensuring were high: chemical attack. attacks by small every member of the team was ready for wartime groups of Iraqi soldiers not cleared during the operations by Christmas. initial assault, asymmetric threats from terrorist The enhanced unit for operations in Iraq. activity in the form of LEDs and car bombs. as now formally called the Fleet Diving Squadron well as the risk of artillery and mortar fire from (FDS). waited with nervous anticipation for embedded Iraqi positions. As the unit watched confirmation that they were going to deploy and the war on CNN and Fox News the reality of were placed at immediate notice from the New their involvement hit home. Two missions came Year 2003. Final preparations continued until in, firstly to support the 3 Commando Brigade the decision by Fleet was made and the FDS. led assault of the Al Faw Peninsula and secondly. by FDU 3. deployed to Bahrain on 8 February to check a mine barge captured by US SEALs. 2002. There followed a further period of intense Both deserve mention. training to make the most of every opportunity The Al Faw mission. was passed to the as tasking became clearer, creating SOPs to Underwater MCM Commander. NSCT I, with clear berths of explosive hazards. helicopter less than 24 hours notice. The decision was embarkation and loading plans. Prisoner of made to support it with a combined team from War handling procedures and battlefield First the US and FDS making use of hovercraft from Aid. At this time the FDS also met with its 539 Assault Squadron Royal Marines. It was a US and Australian counterparts as well as with dangerous mission, requiring an approach to the MCM I embarked on RFA SIR BEDIVERE. The beach to open a boat lane for re-supply 1 hour US Naval Special Clearance Team 1 was the after the initial helicopter assault by the Marines

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and SEALs. The beaches were mined, and wearing NBC suits. FDS was co-located with the enemy presence and obstacles were anticipated US and Australian teams, although the warehouse from intelligence photographs. The combined used afforded little protection other than from team made three approaches to different beaches the elements and teams learned very quickly in attempts to get access but mine density was about the need for effective training to prepare all too high with an unacceptably high risk of aspects of war. losing an operator. The decision was made not Conditions in Um Qasr were poor. to progress. which was frustrating when teams warehouse doors had been blown off by EOD were so close to the shore, but it was the right teams as the US swept through the port. the air decision because the military gain did not justify temperature was 30-40 degrees Centigrade with any loss of life. The second mission on the tug persistent dust and sandstorms. During the first and barge was interesting because it showed how night there was torrential rain and thunder but extensive the Iraqi mining preparations for war even this was unable to drown out the noise of had been. SUMAR 250 ground mines (Manta gunfire in the town. Perimeter guards were set copies) and LUGM buoyant mines were all ready up. ISO containers used to provide a blockade for deployment in barges specially fitted with around the warehouses, and at night flare pickets rails and concealed cut-away sections just above used to deter any intruders and the numerous the waterline. There were also rails concealed wild and stray dogs. The diving conditions by oil drums on the upper deck of the tug, none were no better, heavy oil and other pollutant of which could be seen from aerial photographs. contamination in the water, thick mud in the At least one barge was subsequently destroyed harbour and tidal steams of 4-5 knots with diving in an air attack based on the information gleaned windows of less than 2 hours along the berths. from this and similar missions, which confirmed There were numerous vessels tied up alongside, the Iraqi's intention to conduct minelaying some of which had been there since the last operations. Gulf War. and more unnervingly there were Further tasking came on the evening pilot boats which had been adapted to carry four of 23 March after both teams had returned, a mines on specially adapted rails. Eight mines directive (apparently from the US President were found on the rails of two boats, which at himself) was that the Port of Um Qasr had to least meant they had not been laid. FDS also be cleared by the UMCM Task Unit as soon as had to commandeer transport and in the greatest possible. The MCM Directive changed to Bravo traditions of the Diving Branch divers managed accepting risk to non-remote means of mine to acquire an ambulance, fire engine and fork-lift clearance. Personnel were briefed, Rules of truck! Engagement given, which were notable for their The clearance mission in Um Qasr permissiveness, and everyone settled down for a was based around the strategic importance final night on board before the helicopter lift in. of humanitarian aid arriving, and seen to be FDS clearance diving teams were given priority arriving, in the country by the Iraqi population for the helicopter move because they offered and the World press. A berth was prioritised and an immediate diving capability as soon as they the jetty clearance mission was allocated to FDS. landed. A UUV conducted runs first to locate possible The final briefing was given at 0430 minelike contacts and these positions were passed 24 March and immediately on completion to the dive teams who were magnetically ranging weapons and ammunition were issued. Bergens equipment for diving against possible influence and personal kit were given a final check and contacts. Mine threat briefs had already been teams got dressed in NBC kit because of the given and it was just a question of the divers anticipated threat. It took several lifts in SH-53 getting in the water to prove whether the contacts Sea Stallions to get all FDS personnel in. but the located were mines or not. At the same time first two loads brought in the diving capability. force protection elements were set up on the jetty which was planned to commence at first light the to protect against possible Iraqi military who following day. The port itself had been secured were thought to be still in the vicinity and known and the last enemy resistance in the area was in to be operating just a few kilometres further the throes of being suppressed as the helicopters North up the channel. The first several dives came in. Shell. mortar and gunfire were sporadic were conducted with no contacts proving to be and were mainly restricted to the town where mines and it was to be the start of a trend. the Commando Brigade were in action. The At about this time the dolphins started other main threat was from Chemical attack and to arrive in the port and they were to provide there were numerous alarms resulting in hurried a capability to search for buried mines rather activity to don respirators. everyone was already than risking divers probing in the mud. This put

www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk into practice another set of SOPs. The dolphins having completed its MCM mission. to allow would mark a contact and then divers would be FDU 2 to come into theatre for land EOD. FDS called in to place 20Ib charges. Charges were moved down to Kuwait on 25 April and after used even if no contact could be found because a short delay started to head back to the UK as of the chance of mine burial. Over the course of trooping and transport flights were prioritised. the 15 days in UQ FDS cleared approximately By the time the last member of the FDS returned 3 km of berths and conducted 74 dives and to the UK they had spent exactly 101 days on nearly 3000 minutes underwater. The Australian operations. Clearance Diving Team was conducting the same This War in the Gulf was very different mission in different areas, and shortly after both to the last one. fortunately the Iraqi's failed teams were joined by US EODMU 6 Det 6 to to exploit their potential to conduct a serious assist with the same mission. Tasking was split mining campaign. Possibly it was the initial between all three teams and because they were coalition attack taking Iraq by surprise, or the often on task at the same time had to ensure apparent unwillingness to complete the mining lateral safety separation in case of an accidental operations by the Iraqi which brought this mine detonation. The routines worked well and failure about is difficult to answer. Nevertheless the berth was cleared for the arrival of RFA SIR the clearance diving teams of all nations did GALAHAD. She pulled alongside, with a huge a fantastic job in completing what remained amount of press interest, onto the berth cleared a difficult and hazardous task where other by the FDS on 28 March. After the completion threats remained high. As an integral part of of this task the hard work really commenced. this the combined FDS team were the most and now joined by NSCT I Dive Team who had dedicated and capable team anyone could have been solely providing force protection until this wished to work with, achieving every mission point. everyone slogged through the remainder assigned to the highest of standards despite of the port clearing all the berths and diving all often having the odds stacked against them. This the contacts located. It took another I I days to success. which resulted in the award of four complete and whilst no mines were found the Joint Force Commander's Commendations to purpose of the mission was to prove that the CPO(D) Leader. PO(D) Marston. Dl Mathews port was clear and this aim was achieved. Whilst and DI Murray, was down to the calibre of the port clearance was underway FDS was also those making up the team. Everyone involved involved in two EOD tasks. Firstly leading a worked tirelessly over the course of the 3 month mine investigation mission with the US and deployment and this ensured it was a deployment secondly assisting in the disposal of stockpiles of from which all returned safely. It was an LUGMs found further inland. At the same time experience none will forget. the Australian team disposed of a sunken pilot boat with 4 LUGMs. Um Qasr was a busy place. After Um Qasr further tasking came to clear the Port of Az Zubayr. It was basically Fleet Diving Squadron Nominal a very similar mission, confirming the berths - Operation TELIC and waterways were clear of mines so that the Royal Marines based in the Port could have free passage. This mission was conducted in Lt Cdr J A Herriman RN, exactly the same manner. utilising dolphins and WO(D) K Barran, CPO(D) P F Leader, UUV combined with diver searches. FDS and ACPO(D) A Seabrook, Australian divers conducted this task as the US dive teams were detached and returned to the CPOMEA N B Dilley, GUNSTON HALL. The clearance of the port PO(D) A E Knowles, PO(D) S T Marston, took 11 days. but was not as demanding as Um POMA K J Lang, LD P E Holland, Qasr, despite the environmental conditions being worse. By this time the area had been fully LD M H Evered, LD I D Rigg, secured. so force protection was less of a worry LD W Peers, LD S S Lloyd, although travel outside the base area was still LD A Lonsdale, D1 M J Jones, conducted in convoy with personnel fully armed. It was at the end of this task that the UMCM D1 J J Hopkins, D1 R P Mathews, Task Unit started to go its separate ways. The D1 J E Craker, D1 J P remainder of NSCT I headed back on board. D1 R C Murray, D1 S W Clark. the Australians detached to conduct land EOD. and FDS prepared to roulement out of the Gulf

www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk Fleet Diving Unit 3 No respite from operations

CPO(D) Paul Leader

Life on Fleet Diving Unit 3 has been was required to stay on the wagon for continuous intensely busy. Since joining in May 2002 the IEDD EOD duties. but LK)) Steve ( I hate Unit has been constantly involved in Operational scout leaders) Meddoms and Dvrl John ( Have tours of duty at both individual and team level. you seen my phone bill, my Wife has! ) Hobbs It was never going to be an easy draft. you know also joined me. We in Salalah managed the that when you join as the Chief. on the same day biggest change round in personnel. with PO(D) as the new Boss ( Lt John Herriman). and there Russ ( I am on the Atkins Diet) Russell. LS(D) are team members with busted teeth. black eyes Meddoms. LS( D) Bruno ( I am a scout leader) and a broken elbow, and the invariable divers Searle. Dvrl Glen ( Cooked Breakfast) Holeate friend " The Reggie" on case liaison visits. leaving for home and being replaced by PO(D) There was also the fact that we were required Sid ( Dancing) Seabrook. LS(D) Mike ( Taxi to enhance the team's presence on Operation Driver ) Evered and Dvrl Richie Mathews. It ORACLE on the following Friday. joining them was not all desert and camels. we did take a in Dubai. Leaving one element there ( 'The weekend trip to get a Mickey- Dees breakfast. Insiders' - more about them later). with the other no-body ever questioned the 2000 km round element carrying on to Salalah. Oman to relieve trip. The deployment itself lasted 4 months CPO(D) "Used-to-be" Thompson. and the rest and was spent searching the hulls of warships of his team. They had been sent on the standard and RFAs every day to ensure that there was RN 'One Week Mission' and needless to say always an active deterrent to terrorists. It was they where very grateful when we turned up two also important to make sure ships were aware and a half months later. Thomo. received his of the reality of the threat that existed and the nick-name because we had arrived after a major precautions they should be taking. On at least hurricane and all we got was. "There used to be a one occasion ships were forced to sail because road house river bar here". of intelligence suggesting an increase in the From April 2002 until August 2002. likelihood of an attack. and this along with other the unit was on active service committed to Op finds indicating that organisations such as Al ORACLE providing Underwater Force Protection Queeda may possess attack swimming equipment (UWFP) in the Gulf. The team was divided justifies why this task was necessary. FDU 3 has into two separate diving elements. one covering continued to commit personnel to Op ORACLE Dubai. UAE and the other providing support in on and off since then and currently has a PO(D) Salalah ,Oman. It was an important task, that permanently assigned to running UWFP in the is still ongoing and despite not being the most Gulf region. demanding of diving and EOD tasks. it provided After returning to the UK from the opportunities to work in an operational theatre. Gulf in August 2002. there was a short respite as well as acclimatising the team for conditions for Summer Leave before the whole Unit was to in the Gulf region. There were also other deploy for its next task. Operation UPRAISE. opportunities for outside work, albeit mainly in live EOD range clearance in Cyprus. This the more liberal Dubai rather than Oman. 'The operation has been ongoing for the last 20 years. Insiders' were able to take advantage of the night FDU 3. supported by augmented personnel life in the very Westernised city and to undertake from other diving units and MCMVs. took adventurous training ranging from off-road the opportunity to take the POMA Doc ( You driving and camel trekking to Go-Karting and divers drink like pussies) Lang and CPO(MEA) visits to the local Water Park. There was also the Nige ( Have you seen my Landrover) Dilly opportunity for one member of the team to enjoy and conducted this mission both in 2002 a new class of air travel - the " one high club". and also again in Sep 2003. when it had the plus Dvrl John ( Operational bride ) Hopkins to privilege of finally the completing the whole bring back the lady of his dreams. task. In 2002 there were 46 live 4.5 inch shells The Oman lot were short of live found and disposed of and in 2003 over 400 entertainment and not helped by the fact that I items were found. 106 of which were live

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exactly what UK Clearance Diving Teams can do do can Teams Diving Clearance UK what exactly surface supplied diving capability in support of of support in capability diving supplied surface

SDU 2 were received at all levels, showing showing levels, all at received were 2 SDU specific to FDU 3 roles and maintenance of a a of maintenance and roles 3 FDU to specific

FDU 3. along with personnel from FDU 2 and and 2 FDU from personnel with along 3. FDU post assault MCT support. trials of equipment equipment of trials support. MCT assault post

deployment was measured in the positive way way positive the in measured was deployment land EOD. EOD support for salvage operations. operations. salvage for support EOD EOD. land

trained so long and hard to. The success of the the of success The to. hard and long so trained Investigation tasking. worldwide maritime and and maritime worldwide tasking. Investigation

meant everyone was doing everything they had had they everything doing was everyone meant whilst it was officially out of service ). Mine Mine ). service of out officially was it whilst

US and Australian Clearance Diving Teams Teams Diving Clearance Australian and US the only unit with dispensation to dive CDBA CDBA dive to dispensation with unit only the

conducting EOD and MCM diving alongside alongside diving MCM and EOD conducting the Fleet Deep Diving capability (and was was (and capability Diving Deep Fleet the

to hostilities in a Clearance Diving Team and and Team Diving Clearance a in hostilities to The teams main roles are now to sustain sustain to now are roles main teams The

For many of the unit it was the first exposure exposure first the was it unit the of many For is the place to be. be. to place the is

to the utmost in an operational environment. environment. operational an in utmost the to want the time away and your LSSA bonus FDU 3 3 FDU bonus LSSA your and away time the want

and very fulfilling task. testing team capabilities capabilities team testing task. fulfilling very and duty from April 2002-2003. show that if you you if that show 2002-2003. April from duty

it was a professionally challenging, rewarding rewarding challenging, professionally a was it last year. 9 months out of 12 spent on operational operational on spent 12 of out months 9 year. last

to get into a LEBA set. Suffice to say here that that here say to Suffice set. LEBA a into get to responsibility with FDU 2. Statistics over the the over Statistics 2. FDU with responsibility

held on tight to my own mask while telling him him telling while mask own my to tight on held R2 (5 days notice to deploy) and rotates this this rotates and deploy) to notice days (5 R2

mask. I had other things to think about, but I I but about, think to things other had I mask. Joint Rapid Reaction Force (JRRF), classed as as classed (JRRF), Force Reaction Rapid Joint

front of me apologising for mis- placing his Gas Gas his placing mis- for apologising me of front case and it is now a fully integral part of the the of part integral fully a now is it and case

another chemical attack warning, standing in in standing warning, attack chemical another solely as the Trials Team. this is no longer the the longer no is this Team. Trials the as solely

incident with Dvrl John Hopkins. again under under again Hopkins. John Dvrl with incident of the Unit roles and capabilities. Once known known Once capabilities. and roles Unit the of

warning wearing just his Gas Mask and another another and Mask Gas his just wearing warning There has also been a major up grade grade up major a been also has There

around naked in the middle of a chemical attack attack chemical a of middle the in naked around also tested its procedures for Mine Investigation. Investigation. Mine for procedures its tested also

which include Dvrl Mathew Jones running running Jones Mathew Dvrl include which times in Cyprus and Dubai. On JMC the team team the JMC On Dubai. and Cyprus in times

which I feel sure the Boss will not mention. mention. not will Boss the sure feel I which a way of life and are balanced against the sunnier sunnier the against balanced are and life of way a

Magazine. I must add my lasting memories. memories. lasting my add must I Magazine. the minimum levels of support are now becoming becoming now are support of levels minimum the

in a separate article, hopefully in this MAD MAD this in hopefully article, separate a in environment and knowing how to survive with with survive to how knowing and environment

deserves a little more detail and has been covered covered been has and detail more little a deserves to protect themselves, operating in a tactical tactical a in operating themselves, protect to

deployment for Operation TELIC in Iraq. This This Iraq. in TELIC Operation for deployment in. Basic infantry skills to allow dive teams teams dive allow to skills infantry Basic in.

JRRE to lead the Fleet Diving Squadron wartime wartime Squadron Diving Fleet the lead to JRRE and which the unit will now always train operate operate train always now will unit the which and

3 was selected, because of its commitment to to commitment its of because selected, was 3 is exactly how wartime operations are conducted conducted are operations wartime how exactly is

would have made for an exciting time FDU FDU time exciting an for made have would most pleasant way to spend two weeks, but this this but weeks, two spend to way pleasant most

Whilst these deployment themselves themselves deployment these Whilst often uncomfortable conditions is not always the the always not is conditions uncomfortable often

the holiday season came to a close. close. a to came season holiday the alongside other units, living under Spartan and and Spartan under living units, other alongside

even more time for taking in the local nightlife as as nightlife local the in taking for time more even operational clearance diving tasks. Operating Operating tasks. diving clearance operational

with local diving clubs, more Go-Karting, and and Go-Karting, more clubs, diving local with TELIC. to make it more capable for any future future any for capable more it make to TELIC.

R&R including wreck diving on the Xenobia Xenobia the on diving wreck including R&R team to incorporate lessons learned from Op Op from learned lessons incorporate to team

were free and this gave opportunities for some some for opportunities gave this and free were this has been crucial because it has enabled the the enabled has it because crucial been has this

12-14 hours times on task. However, weekends weekends However, task. on times hours 12-14 033 in Loch Ewe. West Coast of Scotland, and and Scotland, of Coast West Ewe. Loch in 033

work-hard, play-hard deployments, often with with often deployments, play-hard work-hard, 3 has participated in the Joint Maritime Course Course Maritime Joint the in participated has 3

in hotels on the outskirts of Paphos. Both were were Both Paphos. of outskirts the on hotels in for immediate deployment. More recently FDU FDU recently More deployment. immediate for

same Landing Craft but were accommodated accommodated were but Craft Landing same ensure that this capability is always available available always is capability this that ensure

holidaymakers. In 2003 they worked from the the from worked they 2003 In holidaymakers. operations. and to work up to 50m on SSDE to to SSDE on 50m to up work to and operations.

local beach, often to the bemusement of the local local the of bemusement the to often beach, local LEBA. the set now used for harbour clearance clearance harbour for used now set the LEBA.

embarking and disembarking from the packed packed the from disembarking and embarking was utilised to keep the training levels up for for up levels training the keep to utilised was

- date"! We worked from Army Landing Craft. Craft. Landing Army from worked We date"! from the MV Colonel Templar. This work-up work-up This Templar. Colonel MV the from

swimming trunks and asked if he would like a a like would he if asked and trunks swimming diving work-up living in Falmouth and working working and Falmouth in living work-up diving

block by a gentleman in a very tight pair of of pair tight very a in gentleman a by block summer Weapon Training period conducting a a conducting period Training Weapon summer

the Boss was approached as he left the toilet toilet the left he as approached was Boss the there was some well deserved leave before a a before leave deserved well some was there

was the direction for future deployments, until until deployments, future for direction the was For all those back from the Gulf Gulf the from back those all For

and drunken chefs. It was looking like this this like looking was It chefs. drunken and Commanding Officers please note. note. please Officers Commanding

very well together and over come the bee stings stings bee the come over and together well very completely employable in a theatre of war. Future Future war. of theatre a in employable completely

over previous years. The team was working working was team The years. previous over to beg transport to allow us to be pro-active and and pro-active be to us allow to transport beg to

This worked well and was an improvement improvement an was and well worked This around a complete Commando Brigade trying trying Brigade Commando complete a around

deployment was based in a campsite in Polis. Polis. in campsite a in based was deployment recovers from the embarrassment of walking walking of embarrassment the from recovers

range area cleared by the teams. In 2002 the the 2002 In teams. the by cleared area range a considerable amount of time before my pride pride my before time of amount considerable a

back to the Republic of Cyprus the maritime maritime the Cyprus of Republic the to back work all were required to do. But it will take take will it But do. to required were all work

HQ British Forces Cyprus can now hand hand now can Cyprus Forces British HQ one got hurt, despite the hazardous nature of the the of nature hazardous the despite hurt, got one

removed. Importantly. as a result of this success success this of result a as Importantly. removed. importantly of all however, was the fact that no no that fact the was however, all of importantly

and subsequently stockpiled and explosively explosively and stockpiled subsequently and under even the most testing of conditions. Most Most conditions. of testing most the even under www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk

Fleet operations worldwide. The responsibilities specialists again and will, when coupled with the are diverse and varied and make it a highly operational experience it now possesses, make demanding job for the fourteen personnel on the the Unit into an even more effective clearance team. Extensive travel is guaranteed, often at diving team that will be hard to beat. r. short notice, and the pace of team life is fast and There have been a lot of changes furious. This is not the place to be if you want to in FDU 3. most of which people are now be able to plan your life for months ahead, it just aware. The team has been at the forefront of doesn't happen as an operational clearance diving all that has happened in the FDG over the last team in the current World climate. year and a half, not least leading the wartime Looking ahead, FDU 3 has been given deployment to Iraq. The team has focussed the responsibility to trial the CDBA MOD 1, on the core clearance diving skills, those that which will mean the unit is the first to regain are most likely to be demanded in any future the 81m capabilities and at the same time operations, wherever they may be. It also has the contributing to the future development of the added advantage of a full and specialised EOD Branch as a whole. It is a responsibility taken capability, one which no other unit possesses and very seriously to ensure we get the best possible which means it can fulfil this task in addition to set appropriate to the MCM diving requirements. any other EOD operations. The future is going Final arrangements for the trial are underway to remain busy. with no let up in pace. but the and it will commence in New Year 2004, with rewards are in the work the team does and where CPO(D) Sid Seabrook and CPO(Desig) (Brown they do it. which is clearance diving and EOD nose) running the trial for approximately 4 anywhere in the world, at anytime. 1/2 months. This will involve creating and I wish to take this opportunity to wish developing new SOPs, testing equipment every body I have ever had the pleasure of reliability and getting ready to provide the Fleet knowing " Thank you" for the good & bad times. with its full Deep Water Warfare capability, its been 29 years well spent with wonderful which is after all the remit of FDU 3. It will people. and unlike some parts of this article be good to focus on being deep MCM diving there's no sarcastic humour meant.

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families love! At this stage the UK had made made had UK the stage this At love! families were exercising in the Mediterranean but if they they if but Mediterranean the in exercising were

for as long as it takes" assignments that our our that assignments takes" it as long as for lead by Cdr Charlie Wilson, Cdr MCM 1. They They 1. MCM Cdr Wilson, Charlie Cdr by lead

MCM staff. It was one of those classic "..... "..... classic those of one was It staff. MCM surrounded the On Call MCM Force, OCF 32, 32, OCF Force, MCM Call On the surrounded

contingency planning with the COMFIFTHFLT's COMFIFTHFLT's the with planning contingency Command Estimate. Important initial questions questions initial Important Estimate. Command

He told me that I was off to Bahrain to conduct conduct to Bahrain to off was I that me told He Macdonald and I then began a long distance distance long a began then I and Macdonald

when our Chief of Staff called me into his office. office. his into me called Staff of Chief our when Cdr Dougie Macdonald a fellow MCD. Cdr Cdr MCD. fellow a Macdonald Dougie Cdr

I had just returned from a recce to Japan Japan to recce a from returned just had I Warfare Centre (MWC) was its Deputy Director, Director, Deputy its was (MWC) Centre Warfare

FREEDOM. FREEDOM. fortunately for me, our contact at the Maritime Maritime the at contact our me, for fortunately

(DCJFMCC) for Operation ENDURING ENDURING Operation for (DCJFMCC) cleared to discuss the contingency plan but but plan contingency the discuss to cleared

Joint Force Maritime Component Commander Commander Component Maritime Force Joint only a handful of people back in UK that were were that UK in back people of handful a only

Burnell-Nugent became the Deputy Coalition Coalition Deputy the became Burnell-Nugent occasion we were given no choice. There were were There choice. no given were we occasion

since October 2001 when Rear Admiral James James Admiral Rear when 2001 October since in isolation is fraught with danger but on this this on but danger with fraught is isolation in

presence in the US Fifth Fleet HQ in Bahrain Bahrain in HQ Fleet Fifth US the in presence planning is an inclusive process and that planning planning that and process inclusive an is planning

I was the Staff MCDO, had kept a permanent permanent a kept had MCDO, Staff the was I frustrating phase. We are taught that successful successful that taught are We phase. frustrating

The UK Maritime Battlestaff, of which which of Battlestaff, Maritime UK The unsurpassed and so began a difficult and often often and difficult a began so and unsurpassed

undertook the first offensive actions. actions. offensive first the undertook previous operations, this level of security was was security of level this operations, previous

largely monitored the various formations as they they as formations various the monitored largely I had experienced the demands of OPSEC in in OPSEC of demands the experienced had I

we still carried out contingency planning. we we planning. contingency out carried still we 'need to know' principle was enforced. Whilst Whilst enforced. was principle know' to 'need

planning were about to be executed and, whilst whilst and, executed be to about were planning During the initial planning phase a strict strict a phase planning initial the During

up to the 'boys on the ground'. Our months of of months Our ground'. the on 'boys the to up

Initial Planning Planning Initial command chat rooms knowing that it was now now was it that knowing rooms chat command

News 24 and CNN and monitored the various various the monitored and CNN and 24 News

With an air of inevitability we watched BBC BBC watched we inevitability of air an With planning. planning.

Headquarters in Bahrain was surprisingly quiet. quiet. surprisingly was Bahrain in Headquarters going to take part, we had to be involved in the the in involved be to had we part, take to going

Component Commander's (UKMCC) (UKMCC) Commander's Component early stages of the campaign and that that and campaign the of stages early if if we were were we

first assault the United Kingdom Maritime Maritime Kingdom United the assault first that MCM was going to be a key enabler in the the in enabler key a be to going was MCM that

over before it began. On the evening of the the of evening the On began. it before over planning was gathering momentum. It was clear clear was It momentum. gathering was planning

For me the war was practically practically was war the me For no commitment to any operation in Iraq but US US but Iraq in operation any to commitment no

Introduction Introduction

Lt Cdr Dave Hunkin RN RN Hunkin Dave Cdr Lt

The United Kingdom Maritime Component Commander's Staff, Bahrain Bahrain Staff, Commander's Component Maritime Kingdom United The

A Personal View from the Battlestaff Battlestaff the from View Personal A

Op TELIC MCM MCM TELIC Op www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk

were sent through Suez. were there enough hulls Command and Control (C2) was to and was the force mix of I Hunt and 3 Sandowns become another key area of discussion. For satisfactory? It was intensely frustrating talking months. C2 of the Al Faw Peninsula, the KAA about Force Generation without being able to and UQ became an area of intense staff activity talk to the 'Force Generators' but I grabbed what as Amphibious Doctrine battled with Land guidance I could from the MWC and the small Doctrine which battled with Maritime Doctrine team at PJHQ. and occasionally. even 'Bespoke Doctrine'! Having not previously worked with the Finally the Component Commanders found American MCM community I had to establish a solution but inter-component liaison was to what their capability was, what their plan was become a difficult area during the subsequent and how we could contribute to it. I spent as operation. much time as I could with MCM DIV 31. the Planning gathered pace as the US. resident 5th Fleet US MCM Command and soon supported by Britain. mounted increasing discovered that they approached MCM in quite a diplomatic pressure on the UN for a tougher different way to the UK. That said, Cdre Kenny stance against Saddam Hussein. Worryingly Williams USN. COMMCMDIV3 I. and his team short timelines for the operation were being made me very welcome and soon offered me a discussed in some circles but without any desk in their cramped offices so that our planning formal commitment by the UK. our planning was 'joined up'. I visited the ships, spoke to the team remained very small and very constrained. COs and ships teams trying to build a picture of CINCFLEET decided that OCF32 should be their capability and how they intended to employ brought through Suez as a contingency mindful their various techniques. It became clear that of their slow transit speed and their inevitable the UK could make a major contribution to the requirement to conduct maintenance and training planned MCM effort both in terms of hulls and on arrival in the Gulf. This potential pre- expertise. In fact, to the best of my knowledge, positioning was to be key to our preparedness there was no other Line of Operation where the for the operation. Coming through Suez was not UK could offer such a significant contribution however the green light for me to engage Cdr relative to the US capability. Charlie Wilson in the planning process. It was Our mission was to open the Khaw•r Ab not until the ships reached Salalah that I was d'allah (KAA) waterway and Port of Umm Qasr authorised to brief him and his SOO. Lt Cdr Alex (UQ). A port of strategic importance. the early Bush. I felt a huge sense of relief as I was finally opening of this gateway was vital to the supply of able to discuss the plan with the team that would Humanitarian Assistance (HA) to the beleaguered probably execute it and we spent the day talking people of Iraq. The coalition posture was one of through the various issues. At last there were liberation not invasion but without HA quickly more MCDs looking at the plan. checking and following the combat formations. it would be a double-checking that weeks of isolation hadn't very difficult message to sell. resulted in a complete work of fiction. There There were several key areas of was still much to do however and now Alex and discussion regarding the initial American Cdr Wilson became actively involved in direct plan largely appertaining to the efficacy of discussions with MCM DIV31 and the Royal minehunting in the KAA and the absence of Marines as the ships made passage to the Gulf. friendly troops protecting the eastern bank of the KAA on the Al Faw• Peninsula. With US forces A Shift in Effort at full stretch covering more important tasks, it had been decided that the Al Faw• threat was to Just before Christmas the Main be taken on risk with the MCMVs using self- Effort(ME) of our operation shifted. No protection and air cover. Exercising with OCF32 longer was opening UQ our ME and no longer in the Mediterranean had been our Amphibious was the MCM Cdr going to be the Supported Ready Group lead by HMS OCEAN having Commander. It had been realised that oil was just completed Exercise DESTINED GLORY going to be the key to Iraq's recovery. Iraq's oil 02. Royal Marines were the obvious choice to industry needed to remain intact so that it could provide the MCMVs with flank protection ashore restart production and start earning badly needed and so began an intense period of planning as the revenue for the country as soon as possible. We 'Booties' were brought into the 'inner sanctum' knew of Saddam's previous 'scorched earth to start planning this now potentially amphibious policy' and if allowed to happen again, it would MCM operation. The MCM Commander was not only have a massive impact on our operation to be the Supported Commander with the Royal but post war recovery would be far more Marines a Supporting Commander protecting difficult. Saddam had rigged much of the oil their land flank. infrastructure with explosives and he intended to

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destroy the various sites as soon as the coalition unpalatable realities from the Land Component attacked. The other fundamental change to the Commander and so when it came to discuss plan was that any preparation of the battlespace MCM risk, peacetime considerations had long could now not take place. Bombing from the been discarded. That was not to say that we air or sea bombardment before any attack would were throwing caution to the wind but we had destroy the element of surprise and the oil to be realistic and we had to expose the issues infrastructure would go up in flames. Our troops thoroughly and early in the planning process so therefore would be attacking a well-trained, that when the time came, MCM Risk was well well-entrenched enemy having had none of the understood. traditional 'softening measures' that doctrine In terms of expressing or controlling risk dictates. Our plan had to change significantly. however, not all in the UK/US MCM community Planning continued a pace and in could agree. One thing we were all agreed on January the US MCM CTG Staff was augmented however was minimising risk to our forces. The by Cdr Brian Mair, Lt Cdr Don Crosbie and Directive and Directive Profile was the key issue, CPO(MW) Taff Hembrow. They then assumed Alpha or Bravo? Was Directive Alpha the right the Operational MCM planning function allowing directive to achieve the mission as we had done Cdr Wilson to concentrate on tactical business during Op GRANBY? Was timely completion of and me to shift to staffing other issues within the the task of secondary importance as stated in the MCC. Directive Alpha or was it going to be pivotal to mission success? Following much discussion, it Risk was decided to conduct the mission in a Directive Alpha Profile and in the final event, despite Some final observations: MCM is a the window for the operation shrinking from unique warfare discipline in many ways and none 9 days to 72 hours, the MCMV led operation more so than the way we offer our Operational was successfully conducted in this profile. The Commanders a quantitative and qualitative CDTs in UQ however shifted to Directive Bravo assessment of risk to our forces and allow him Profile quite early on. So it was a success for the Tactical Control of our exposure to it. Despite management of Directives, although it could be all our computer prediction tools and wizardry argued that there was a blurring of the boundaries however, the level of risk that we are willing between Alpha and Bravo. Therefore a review to accept remains a highly personal and often of the doctrine as it currently stands might be emotive subject. warranted. It was obvious that Operation IRAQI There may also be something to be FREEDOM would not be conducted in the same gained from a review of how the Directive manner as Operation DESERT STORM. Put Profile process works. A good liaison between simply: call it invasion or liberation, we were the Operational Commander and Tactical not there by invitation, at least not openly. Our Commander is essential to ensure that specified tactics were therefore going to be more robust objectives can be achieved. A distinction than we had used in recent operations and the between exercise and operational objectives must level of risk that our troops were going to be be maintained. exposed to was going to be correspondingly higher. The Iraqi Army outnumbered the initial In Conclusion coalition force by a factor of 6:1. Couple this On reflection I was extremely lucky with the reported threat of unconventional to be in the right place at the right time and my weapons and the ever-present terrorist threat and 6 months in Bahrain were the most rewarding one can see that this operation was never going to of any during my time with the Staff. If be easy or straightforward. CINCFLEET ever wanted a practical example Having completed the estimate with of his strap line "The Team Works" this was it. the MWC and subsequently with MCM2, Once all the necessary parties were engaged. in it was agreed that we should not shirk from particular Cdr Chris Lade and Lt Cdr Dave Bence telling our Commanders that the mission to at FLEET N7(MW), Cdr Peter Greenwood at clear the KAA and UQ would not be without DNO and our friends at Bincleaves and DEODs, significant risk to our MCM forces from many it all came together. We had MCD representation different threats. We assumed that pressure to in the right places by the right people and once open UQ and get HA flowing would increase we were allowed to, we all talked and things as the operation progressed and that we would really started to happen. I'll let others outline probably not have the luxury of a blank calendar their far more interesting 'Warry stuff" but from in which to complete the task. Fortunately our a personal Battlestaff perspective in Bahrain, I Commanders had already accepted some very believe the team most definitely worked.

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The Development, Training and Operation of A SHALLOW WATER INFLUENCE MINESWEEPING SYSTEM for use in Operation TELIC

Lt Cdr Mike Leaney RN MBE

Background

In November 2002 MW TD and OA a number of systems were available for lease staff at MWC (Portsdown) were briefed on a at short notice from ADI and that they could be potential capability shortfall in the area of Mine transported directly to the vicinity of operations. Countermeasures. This involved mine clearance A pair of MDS were obtained from RNAS in shallow water with high tidal streams, poor CULDROSE where. fortuitously. they were being underwater visibility and very limited room for used to check Magnetic Anomaly Detection ships to manoeuvre. Analysis of the probable systems. These were requisitioned, transported mine threat and an assessment of the predicted to QinetiQ's Bincleaves Site and used in a series environmental conditions indicated that a small of trials and evaluations. In order to assess both minesweeping system could offer a solution. the acoustic and magnetic performance. PNM's This conclusion was based on depth and were locally manufactured. manoeuvring limitations ruling out CIS. and poor visibility and high tidal streams making mine identification and neutralisation difficult Towing Vessel with RCMDS vehicles. QinetiQ were tasked to assist Maritime Warfare Centre (MWC) The selection of a suitable towing in the identification of a suitable influence platforms were narrowed down to in-service minesweeping system. Commercial off-the- diesel RHIBS or the Army Combat Support shelf systems were assessed, as well as systems Boat (CSB). Given that the CSB was designed already in service with other navies. A table of for towing and bridging operations it seemed sweeping systems were drawn up and scored the logical choice, especially as it used water- on a variety of criteria such as effectiveness jet propulsers instead of propellers. A CSB, against the perceived threat. manoeuvrability and complete with coxswain, was made available availability. from Weymouth Bridging Camp. a local TA establishment, and used for trials and evaluation. These trials showed that the CSB had a low Sweep System acoustic and magnetic signature (of the same The Australian Defence Industries order or slightly less than a Hunt Class in SSD) (ADI) Mini Dyad System (MDS) with Pipe and also had the power to tow the sweep at Noise Makers (PNM) became a clear front- the required speed of 5-7kts. The MCM IPT runner due to their manoeuvrability, simplicity identified 12 CSBs that could be made available and portability. It was quickly established that if required.

AUSTRALIAN FLOAT UNE MINESWEEPING FLOAT 7.7 1.1 7.7 3.95

TOWLINE + 0.58 • -. ` •

FORWARD \ • • 2.425 MINI DYADS 2.225 I SUSPENSION PENDANT PENDANT MINI DYAD • TOWING PNM AND TOWING SUSPENSION FORWARD PNM AND TOWING EYEPLATE BRIDLE PENDANT BRIDLE PENDANT

Fig 1. MDS and PNM in the configuration used

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varying numbers and configurations of both MDS MDS both of configurations and numbers varying exercises (FAWOMO I and 2). 2). and I (FAWOMO exercises

(MSM). The system flexibility is such that by by that such is flexibility system The (MSM). was ready in time to participate in two rehearsal rehearsal two in participate to time in ready was

able to operate in an efficient mine-setting mode mode mine-setting efficient an in operate to able and missed the operational date of 15 Feb 03 but but 03 Feb 15 of date operational the missed and

of reasonable confidence in the mine threat was was threat mine the in confidence reasonable of and setting to work was significantly delayed delayed significantly was work to setting and

manoeuvrability and performance and because because and performance and manoeuvrability failures. the assembly of the system in-theatre in-theatre system the of assembly the failures.

chosen offered a compromise between portability. portability. between compromise a offered chosen and set it to work. Due to a series of logistical logistical of series a to Due work. to it set and

(B) better than 0.9. The sweep configuration configuration sweep The 0.9. than better (B) to fit and configure the remote control system system control remote the configure and fit to

the region of 50m with a Probability of Actuation Actuation of Probability a with 50m of region the was backed up by team from QinetiQ in order order in QinetiQ from team by up backed was

worst-case Characteristic Actuation Width (A) in in (A) Width Actuation Characteristic worst-case SWIMS Unit arrived in Bahrain on 3 Feb and and Feb 3 on Bahrain in arrived Unit SWIMS

encouraging and, in summary, would have a a have would summary, in and, encouraging Bahrain under the command of MCM One. The The One. MCM of command the under Bahrain

various VEMS emulations. Results were very very were Results emulations. VEMS various the system and components were deployed to to deployed were components and system the

actuation. The system was then trialled against against trialled then was system The actuation. of trials, training and tactical development development tactical and training trials, of

over the threat mines without causing an an causing without mines threat the over Following a very intensive period period intensive very a Following

length. had a reasonable chance of passing passing of chance reasonable a had length.

Deployment Deployment

confirmed that the CSB, given a suitable tow tow suitable a given CSB, the that confirmed

a suitable acoustic and magnetic influence and and influence magnetic and acoustic suitable a

Bahrain on 3 Feb 03. 03. Feb 3 on Bahrain

ranging tests showed that the sweep generated generated sweep the that showed tests ranging

at Bincleaves on 7 Jan 03. the Unit deployed to to deployed Unit the 03. Jan 7 on Bincleaves at

with 2 MDS with 2 PNM. Noise and magnetic magnetic and Noise PNM. 2 with MDS 2 with

control system. Having gathered for the first time time first the for gathered Having system. control

undertaken using the CSB as the towing vessel vessel towing the as CSB the using undertaken

operation and defect rectification of the remote remote the of rectification defect and operation

A comprehensive series of trials were were trials of series comprehensive A

run by the Royal Engineers and training on the the on training and Engineers Royal the by run

Trials Trials trials work at QinetiQ Bincleaves, a CSB course course CSB a Bincleaves, QinetiQ at work trials

programme was highly compressed. consisting of of consisting compressed. highly was programme

3 making up a team of 8 people. The training training The people. 8 of team a up making 3

against the contact mines, and then only once! once! only then and mines, contact the against

Exercise Mining Team. MCM IPT and MCM MCM and IPT MCM Team. Mining Exercise

the sweep would have a very narrow swept width width swept narrow very a have would sweep the

Personnel were drawn from MWC. the Fleet Fleet the MWC. from drawn were Personnel

Trials focused on the influence mines. as as mines. influence the on focused Trials

the system and ultimately operate it in-theatre. in-theatre. it operate ultimately and system the

were considered as viable. viable. as considered were

a team to undertake trials, gain experience with with experience gain trials, undertake to team a

constraints. both influence and contact mines mines contact and influence both constraints.

CINCFLEET Portsmouth nominated nominated Portsmouth CINCFLEET

considered and, given the environmental environmental the given and, considered

The Iraqi mine ORBAT was carefully carefully was ORBAT mine Iraqi The Personnel Personnel

Mine Threat Threat Mine

results obtained. obtained. results

equipment (Octopus) from a CSB and good good and CSB a from (Octopus) equipment

assessment study. study. assessment sonar capability was trialled using in-service in-service using trialled was capability sonar

due to funding difficulties for a financial risk risk financial a for difficulties funding to due close to the values obtained in trials. A side-scan side-scan A trials. in obtained values the to close

UOR 41. although not before a three-week delay delay three-week a before not although 41. UOR for tactical development. TMSS predictions were were predictions TMSS development. tactical for

were approached. The system was taken up as as up taken was system The approached. were configurations and environments and was crucial crucial was and environments and configurations

and Directorate of Equipment Capability (DEC) (DEC) Capability Equipment of Directorate and used to extrapolate performance in a variety of of variety a in performance extrapolate to used

the funding provided by MWC was running dry dry running was MWC by provided funding the Mine Simulation System (TMSS) was widely widely was (TMSS) System Simulation Mine

positive and the task was scopcd. At this point point this At scopcd. was task the and positive reduce risk to the following MCMVs. Total Total MCMVs. following the to risk reduce

system to the CSB. An initial assessment was was assessment initial An CSB. the to system sweep ahead of the lead minehunter in order to to order in minehunter lead the of ahead sweep

they were approached to consider applying their their applying consider to approached were they it was planned to use SWIMS as a precursor precursor a as SWIMS use to planned was it

remote controlled system for sensor delivery and and delivery sensor for system controlled remote feasible. Given the likely nature of the operation. operation. the of nature likely the Given feasible.

QinetiQ Winfrith had been working on a a on working been had Winfrith QinetiQ and PNM. a target setting mode (TSM) was was (TSM) mode setting target a PNM. and

Remote Control System System Control Remote

Fig 2. Combat Support Vessel Vessel Support Combat 2. Fig Fig 3. Trials at Portland Portland at Trials 3. Fig www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk

Rehearsals BROCKLESBY to clear the Khor Abd Allah (KAA) waterway of mines prior to shipping SWIMS equipment (5 CSBs and 6 pairs of using the port of Umm Qasr for humanitarian aid sweeps) and personnel embarked in RFA SIR distribution. SWIMS were controlled from the BEDIVERE and sailed for rehearsals. The lead MCM V and conducted a pre-cursor sweep geometry of the KAA route was 'transposed' to reduce risk to the following vessels. A track to the NAG and the MCM assets deployed spacing of 30m was adopted with 5 tracks being to conduct exploratory operations. SWIMS run. This cleared a central channel from which personnel embarked in HMS SANDOWN and the MCMVs could operate and expand the effort. operated 2 remote CSBs and sweeps with a Ranges of up to 9000m were regularly achieved. manned CSB as a back up. Significant problems and the rate of progress of the sweeping operation were encountered due to bad weather. Personnel was significantly faster than the minehunters dealing ►with poor conditions and numerous sonar contacts. It is not thought that the sweep was responsible for any mine actuations. although at the ranges involved and during darkness this cannot be confirmed. Intelligence indicated that a mix of Manta and LUGM contact mines were laid.

The precursor minesweeping effort reached Umm Qasr on PM 24 Mar and loitered at point L ►whilst awaiting clearance required due to EOD operations. During this pause. a severe squall ►with ►winds up to 60kts caused damage to 3 CSBs. SIR GALAHAD was led up to Umm Qasr by HMS SANDOWN and docked alongside on 28 March. Records taken during the operation have been analysed. In summary. a corridor of up to 120m was swept over a length of 27.7nm (point C to M) over a period of 23 hours 50 minutes. Fig 4 WO Mills and the SWIMS remote control station in HMS BROCKLEHURST SWIMS reliability was generally good transfers between CSBs and HMS SANDOWN although problems were experienced with MDS were hazardous and sweep linkages failed due tow and linkages and a tendency for the CSB snatching in the sea state. The CSBs were ► engines to overheat at low power settings. The anchored with the sweeps attached while the ► ► system is very weather dependant and not suited weather improved. As the weather improved. ► to blue water operations in TSM. The remote system failures were rectified and personnel ► ► control system needs continued development to transferred to HMS BROCKLESBY to continue aid navigation, collision avoidance and provide a minesweeping operations. The tactic utilised video link for confined waters. was precursor influence minesweeping ahead ► of the lead minehunter in order to reduce risk There followed a period of to the MCMVs. In the operation. MCMVs consolidation, relocation of equipment and would be operating in very shallow water and maintenance before the SWIMS Unit returned more vulnerable to influence mines than usual. to RFA SIR BEDIVERE. The Unit remained at Using 2 remote systems. 5 tracks with 30m- short notice to respond to additional tasking until track spacing were swept to allow the initial returning to the UK on 10 April. The equipment minehunting effort to be conducted in a 120m remained at Bahrain with personnel at 3 days swept corridor. Considerable help was provided ► notice to move until 28 April when the decision by UK MCC COMCEN in working around ► ► was taken to return equipment back to the UK. frequency interference problems in the area of operations. Conclusions. Operation TELIC ( I ) A capability gap clearly exists in the On March 23, SWIMS personnel area of very shallow ►water (VSW) MCM. This and equipment were deployed with HMS lack of capability is exacerbated by conditions

20 www.mcdoa.org.uk

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and Op TELIC. precursor minesweeping ahead ahead minesweeping precursor TELIC. Op and cost and could provide a way ahead. ahead. way a provide could and cost

(3) (3) The tactics adopted during the rehearsals rehearsals the during adopted tactics The great potential for improvement at relatively low low relatively at improvement for potential great

this gap can be closed in the future. SWIMS has has SWIMS future. the in closed be can gap this

to how critical this capability shortfall is and how how and is shortfall capability this critical how to

confirming the presence of mining. mining. of presence the confirming

capability gap. a decision will need to be made as as made be to need will decision a gap. capability

on top by SWIMS could elicit a high order event event order high a elicit could SWIMS by top on

tight schedule. that goes some way to plugging a a plugging to way some goes that schedule. tight

limits for RCMDS or OSMDS. a series of runs runs of series a OSMDS. or RCMDS for limits

minesweeping capability. developed to a very very a to developed capability. minesweeping

but cannot identify due to conditions being out of of out being conditions to due identify cannot but

Having demonstrated a low cost remote remote cost low a demonstrated Having

addition, if a minchunter holds a sonar contact contact sonar a holds minchunter a if addition,

check system on completion of sweeping. In In sweeping. of completion on system check Summary Summary

CSB can also offer a precursor capability, or a a or capability, precursor a offer also can CSB

and demonstrated with the remote controlled controlled remote the with demonstrated and

minute frequency alterations. alterations. frequency minute

The side-scan sonar capability already trialled trialled already capability sonar side-scan The

limitations due to interference and costly last last costly and interference to due limitations

these are not always the mine of choice in VSW. VSW. in choice of mine the always not are these

researched carefully in order to avoid range range avoid to order in carefully researched

some capability against buoyant mines although although mines buoyant against capability some

frequencies for remote control need to be be to need control remote for frequencies

fitted to a remote controlled CSB would offer offer would CSB controlled remote a to fitted

and additional indications of CSB status. The The status. CSB of indications additional and

deeper waters. Lightweight mechanical sweeps sweeps mechanical Lightweight waters. deeper

integration with a Radar output. video linkage linkage video output. Radar a with integration

using Maxi Dyads and extending capability into into capability extending and Dyads Maxi using

aid collision avoidance. For consideration is is consideration For avoidance. collision aid

SWIMS or possibly increasing performance performance increasing possibly or SWIMS

also display host and other CSB positions to to positions CSB other and host display also

but could be easily configured for TSM using using TSM for configured easily be could but

investigation. The remote control system should should system control remote The investigation.

minesweeping need not be limited to MSM. MSM. to limited be not need minesweeping

the CSB engines to overheat at low RPM needs needs RPM low at overheat to engines CSB the

substantially reduce risk to personnel. Remote Remote personnel. to risk reduce substantially

arrangements need review and the tendency for for tendency the and review need arrangements

if the system can be operated remotely and and remotely operated be can system the if

Specifically. the MDS tow and linkage linkage and tow MDS the Specifically.

minehunting and is a viable tactic, especially especially tactic, viable a is and minehunting

although there is room for improvement. improvement. for room is there although

minesweeping offers advantages over over advantages offers minesweeping

(4) (4) The system was generally reliable reliable generally was system The

(2) (2) In this type of environment. environment. of type this In

tuning of tactics. tactics. of tuning

substrates and challenging sonar conditions. conditions. sonar challenging and substrates analysis will provide more data and allow fine fine allow and data more provide will analysis

underwater visibility, mine burial in soft soft in burial mine visibility, underwater greater than the minehunting SOA. Detailed Detailed SOA. minehunting the than greater

environment such as high tidal streams. poor poor streams. tidal high as such environment the sweeping SOA in this case was significantly significantly was case this in SOA sweeping the

that are commonly associated with the VSW VSW the with associated commonly are that of the minehunters. did not impede progress as as progress impede not did minehunters. the of www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk

SHIPS DIVER CONTINUATION TRAINING FOST SUPPORT

Since May 2003, FOST has been uplifted by a CPO(D) giving the capability for FOST to conduct Continuation Training (CT), including Mobile CT, in all major surface vessels whether in UK ports or deployed. With the implementation of the Military Diving Safety Management System (MDSMS) and the greater emphasis on diver safety in the community at large: ships preparing for a period at OST will therefore be under greater scrutiny by the Diving Standards Team and FOST. As part of a holistic approach to preparing for OST, support can be requested from FOST Commander Mobile Sea Training (CMST) for a period of Diving CT; RNTM 52/02 refers. This diving CT package will normally last 2 days and consist of a Diving Documentation and Equipment Check (DDEC), followed by teach-ins and a series of training dives including mandatory emergency procedures. However. Diving CT can be tailored to the needs, particular requirements or availability of the requesting unit and may take the form of an advisory visit or "health-check". Ships that have recently taken advantage of this service have gained much administrative and training value from the FOST Diving Staff visits.

Common Shortcomings

Below is a representative, though not exhaustive, list of common shortcomings identified during Diving Standards Checks (DSC) and OST:

Weakness Solution

Teams undermanned, lacking Supervisors and/ Raise OPDEF personnel. identify personnel early or sufficient personnel to man a team. and release for course. liaise closely with DDS.

Shortfalls highlighted by pre-OST DSC not DSC or CT should be requested allowing actioned on arrival at OST. sufficient time for shortfalls to be rectified.

Poor dissemination of DSM's, signals and Complete current instructions should be available temporary diving instructions. in the reading file held in the diving store.

Lazy shot and shot ropes not made up. Locally manafacture iaw BR2806 art. 09940947.

Light lines poorly or incorrectly marked. Locally manafacture iaw BR2806 art. 0753.

Lost Diver Markers without 5m distance Line. Locally added iaw BR2806 art. 0927 para.e.

No lifelines made up for tidal diving. Locally produce 3 lines iaw BR2806 art. 0744.

Divers knives rusty, lanyards missing. Cleaned and greased (synthetic grease) post dive, suitable lanyards and belt knife extensions used.

Impratical limpet mine markers. Manfacture limpet mine markers iaw BR8988 art. 2455. Awareness of repetetive and combined dive regulations in particular when using the standby Thoroughly understand BR2806 Ch. 12 art. 1207 diver. and 1209.

Diving teams poorly manned with support Ensure diving is a whole-ship activity, locally Personnel and unqualified attendants. train unqualified attendants to support diving.

AMBU resuscitator in poor condition. Close supervision of medical staff.

Incorrect MMS held for diving and ancillary Raise S2012's as appropriate. equipment

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Tel. Mil Tel. . 9375 65604 65604 9375 .

Tel. Civ. 01752 67784 67784 01752 Civ. Tel.

PL2 3BG 3BG PL2

Plymouth Plymouth

HMS DRAKE DRAKE HMS

Grenville Building Building Grenville

SCPOD to FOST FOST to SCPOD

CPO(D) S Strange Strange S CPO(D)

SMCDO to FOST FOST to SMCDO

Lt Cdr G Wilson MBE RN RN MBE Wilson G Cdr Lt

the SURFLOT'. Point of contacts at FOST Devonport are: are: Devonport FOST at contacts of Point SURFLOT'. the

Requests for Diving CT visits should be made iaw RNTM 52/02 "Delivery of Operational Training to to Training Operational of "Delivery 52/02 RNTM iaw made be should visits CT Diving for Requests www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk WHAT NOW FOR THE SHIPS DIVER?

Cdr Martin Doolan RN SO1 UWW MWC Southwick

The future of the Ships Diver (SD) is a a. Have a team of CDs at immediate notice subject. which historically has been the source to fly around the world to conduct basic of many debates. The results of which have defect rectification and maintenance examined options from one side of the spectrum - hardly cost effective or efficient use of to the other. It varies from what I believe is the their capability. negative side of the argument. that of scrapping b. Civilian contract divers in a foreign port the SD Capability altogether in a bid to save - can prove costly and time intensive money. to the positive one of retaining the current reducing the flexibility of the ships capability. What is a common thread to all these programme. arguments is the aspect of safety which should always be our top priority, especially considering c. Tow a DD .FF into harbour with a the number of fatalities in the diving fraternity civilian salvage vessel then revert to over the last few years which must be considered either option a or b. as unacceptable. Therefore any review of the future of the SD should have safety as the top of I would submit that any of the above the agenda. options are not cost effective and in the case of Although a SD Supervisor myself I have the CD option a waste of a very important asset. attempted to look at both sides of the argument So if we are not to accept any of these objectively and maintain an open mind. I options. or something similar. as a viable consider the argument for scrapping the SD as alternative to scrapping the SD then it stands a negative one quite simply because we would to reason that the argument to retain the SD indeed be losing a significant capability in capability must hold water. However, if this is terms of maintenance and defect rectification the case then the very fact that the future of the alone. Lets face it the life of a SD is hardly a SD has been the source of such debate leads me glamorous one: we are not like our Clearance to suggest that what must be accepted is the view Diver (CD) brothers who at times travel all over that all is not well in the current life of the SD. the country and sometimes the world to either One of the strongest arguments against the defuse unexploded ordnance or take on the more retention of the SD is that they are too expensive demanding defect rectification work. No. our to train given the limited capability that they bread and butter is usually being deployed in provide. Whilst I agree to a certain extent I ships around the world conducting work such would counter this by first of all submitting as poker gauge readings or clearing the shaft that SD provide an essential capability which from fishing lines in nil visibility and freezing justifies the cost. Secondly. and perhaps more temperatures. Quite rightly the differential in importantly. I would ask the question why we are Special Service Pay (Diving) (SSP(D)) between training so many SDs? the CD and SD reflects this gap in capability. Figures vary depending on the number However. I believe having this very capability of courses achieved in a 12 month period by the itself defeats the argument of any cost savings Defence Dive School (DDS). but as an average by scrapping the SD. For if it not SD that are 80-100 SDs and 40-50 SD Supervisors qualify to conduct this type of routine maintenance and each year. For the sake of argument. let's take defect rectification, then who? I have often been an approximate total figure of 135 per year. If called upon to conduct this type of work either we then take a 10 year period as a snap shot of alongside in foreign port or indeed on passage current numbers then we obviously have 1.350 quite simply because our options. either due to SDs. If we then assume an annual loss rate the nature of the work or our location, have been to personnel leaving the service for whatever severely restrictive. Therefore. what are the reason of say 10% then we end up with a total alternatives: figure of 1215 qualified SDs currently available

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we place on our ships' programmes and their their and programmes ships' our on place we

paramount importance is safety. Perhaps Perhaps safety. is importance paramount

increasingly more difficult with the demands demands the with difficult more increasingly

3. 3. Finally but most importantly. of of importantly. most but Finally

devices to organise his own CT which becomes becomes which CT own his organise to devices

SD will generally be left to his own individual individual own his to left be generally will SD

ships to plan their manpower requirements. requirements. manpower their plan to ships

level of safety. However, in comparison the the comparison in However, safety. of level

would in turn allow much greater flexibility for for flexibility greater much allow turn in would

over assessing his 'her current performance and and performance current 'her his assessing over

longcast and planned for accordingly which which accordingly for planned and longcast

but during the check significant care is taken taken is care significant check the during but

can the easily be programmed into any ships ships any into programmed be easily the can

of the aircrew. Not only is the ASC planned planned ASC the is only Not aircrew. the of

2. 2. Introduce the ASC check for SDs. This This SDs. for check ASC the Introduce

are taking into account here. but also the safety safety the also but here. account into taking are

ships long cast - after all this is not just OC we we OC just not is this all after - cast long ships

could then be monitored throughout the quarter. quarter. the throughout monitored be then could Check (ASC) will be programmed into the the into programmed be will (ASC) Check

on completion of diving. In this way progress progress way this In diving. of completion on

when an AC joins his ship his Annual Standards Standards Annual his ship his joins AC an when

and Faslane to allow divers to input their minutes minutes their input to divers allow to Faslane and

both. However, it is a notable difference that that difference notable a is it However, both.

a computer terminal in Devonport, Portsmouth Portsmouth Devonport, in terminal computer a

ship will at some stage be dependent on them them on dependent be stage some at will ship

remain in date. How simple would it be to install install to be it would simple How date. in remain

the overall Operational Capability (OC) of the the of (OC) Capability Operational overall the

basis and a remit to ensure all qualified divers divers qualified all ensure to remit a and basis

they provide different individual capabilities capabilities individual different provide they

Officer with the figures suggested above as his his as above suggested figures the with Officer

both will probably be junior rates and although although and rates junior be probably will both

by a central agency - perhaps a dedicated Warrant Warrant dedicated a perhaps - agency central a by

to the Aircraft Controller (AC). In a DDiFF DDiFF a In (AC). Controller Aircraft the to

be monitored, planned. organised and assessed assessed and organised planned. monitored, be

similar capabilities then let us compare the SD SD the compare us let then capabilities similar

obviously costing too much money. CT should should CT money. much too costing obviously

If we take this opportunity to compare compare to opportunity this take we If

does not work, and with the fall out rate it is is it rate out fall the with and work, not does

a view I have held for some time. time. some for held have I view a

historical data given above proves that it it that proves above given data historical

Having qualified as a Ships Diver in 1986 this is is this 1986 in Diver Ships a as qualified Having

organisation of CT up to the individual - the the - individual the to up CT of organisation

our Continuation Training (CT) in the RN. RN. the in (CT) Training Continuation our

1. 1. Don't leave the planning and and planning the leave Don't

be a problem with the way in which we conduct conduct we which in way the with problem a be

than in date for diving, I conclude that there must must there that conclude I diving, for date in than

rely on three elements: elements: three on rely that there are more qualified divers out of date date of out divers qualified more are there that

in which we conduct our SD CT which would would which CT SD our conduct we which in are simply out of date for diving. By the very fact fact very the By diving. for date of out simply are

explained. The suggestion. is to change the way way the change to is suggestion. The explained. their required diving minutes for the quarter and and quarter the for minutes diving required their

current capability for the reasons I have already already have I reasons the for capability current the majority have probably failed to complete complete to failed probably have majority the

to scrap SDs but to continue utilising their their utilising continue to but SDs scrap to conclusion must be drawn that whilst qualified. qualified. whilst that drawn be must conclusion

and suggestion. The recommendation is not not is recommendation The suggestion. and are still serving members of the RN. then the the then RN. the of members serving still are

Therefore, I have a recommendation recommendation a have I Therefore, Assuming that the missing 629 SDs SDs 629 missing the that Assuming

all our agendas. agendas. our all fingertips. fingertips.

way we will keep the safety aspect at the top of of top the at aspect safety the keep will we way would consider that these figures should be at our our at be should figures these that consider would

be conducting our business and certainly not the the not certainly and business our conducting be training and increasing the level of safety, then I I then safety, of level the increasing and training

Surely this is not the professional way we should should we way professional the not is this Surely we are serious about moving ahead with diving diving with ahead moving about serious are we

that some will inevitably slip through the net. net. the through slip inevitably will some that community that is able to provide this data. If If data. this provide to able is that community

to ship and country to country, is it any surprise surprise any it is country, to country and ship to currently no organisation within the RN's diving diving RN's the within organisation no currently

have. However, as we move around from ship ship from around move we as However, have. SDs in the Royal Navy (RN) and yet there is is there yet and (RN) Navy Royal the in SDs

one could not, although quite obviously I should should I obviously quite although not, could one be essential to anyone analysing the future of of future the analysing anyone to essential be

ships diving within the last 12 months? I for for I months? 12 last the within diving ships These are basic questions which I consider would would consider I which questions basic are These

of all such documents that effect the safety of of safety the effect that documents such all of quite simply just do not want to dive anymore? anymore? dive to want not do just simply quite

Divers could honestly say they have had sight sight had have they say honestly could Divers How many have left the service? How many many How service? the left have many How

truly maintain his OC. Yet how many Ships Ships many how Yet OC. his maintain truly date? How many are medically downgraded? downgraded? medically are many How date?

DCIs and Diving Safety Memoranda will a SD SD a will Memoranda Safety Diving and DCIs and in date? How many are qualified but out of of out but qualified are many How date? in and

up to date with documents such as the relevant relevant the as such documents with date to up qualified SDs in the RN. How many are qualified qualified are many How RN. the in SDs qualified

OST. Only by achieving minutes and keeping keeping and minutes achieving by Only OST. whatsoever to monitor the current figure of of figure current the monitor to whatsoever

OC starts to drop after its final inspection at at inspection final its after drop to starts OC technology there is absolutely no database database no absolutely is there technology

diving OC starts to drop just as surely as a ships ships a as surely as just drop to starts OC diving discover that in this day an age of information information of age an day this in that discover

On a slightly different tack once qualified, qualified, once tack different slightly a On Unfortunately I think it is pretty sad to to sad pretty is it think I Unfortunately

level. level. question - Where are they? they? are Where - question

be considered unacceptable and leads us to the the to us leads and unacceptable considered be standards if CT is not achieved to a satisfactory satisfactory a to achieved not is CT if standards

currently diving than those who are. This must must This are. who those than diving currently could lead to the reduction in the level of safety safety of level the in reduction the to lead could

therefore have more qualified SDs who are not not are who SDs qualified more have therefore such an unprofessional manner? A manner which which manner A manner? unprofessional an such

leaves us with a deficit of 629 qualified SDs. We We SDs. qualified 629 of deficit a with us leaves standards. So why should the SD be treated in in treated be SD the should why So standards.

only paying SSP(D) to a total of 586 SDs which which SDs 586 of total a to SSP(D) paying only equivalent assessment of performance or safety safety or performance of assessment equivalent

this article (Feb 2003) AFPAA Centurion were were Centurion AFPAA 2003) (Feb article this does complete the required minutes there is no no is there minutes required the complete does

to the Fleet. However at the time of researching researching of time the at However Fleet. the to manpower (eg. OP FRESCO). Even when he/she he/she when Even FRESCO). OP (eg. manpower www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk

therefore a two day ASC package at DDS would of the SD and the information I have provided firstly allow divers to be brought up to speed may indeed stimulate more. However, what is on all current documentation, developments not in contention is the fact that given the current in equipment such as Through Water fatality rate and the number of qualified SDs Communications, new procedures or First Aid in the fleet who are not diving, then something techniques. The requirement to dive to maximum MUST be wrong and as a professional military depth and a night dive could easily be achieved organisation we MUST put it right. Whether we under controlled conditions, and how many of take on any of the recommendations that I have us manage to achieve either during a 'normal' suggested above is irrelevant - what is relevant is quarter. An assessment of any SDs current the fact that the present system for keeping SDs capability could then be easily achieved and the current with all aspects of modern RN diving opportunity to implement a fleet wide required from minutes to documentation and especially standard similarly implemented. safety, is unacceptable. At the start of this article I stated there were many arguments for and against the future And the answer....

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areas ie. military aviation and nuclear plant plant nuclear and aviation military ie. areas Health and Safety speak perhaps. but it was was it but perhaps. speak Safety and Health

upon similar safety systems for other hazardous hazardous other for systems safety similar upon support of the safety culture that we need. Good Good need. we that culture safety the of support

already in use in ships and sms). It is based based is It sms). and ships in use in already all concerned parties. This is essential to the the to essential is This parties. concerned all

Safety Management System (The SHE system system SHE (The System Management Safety safety-related information from incidents to to incidents from information safety-related

with existing safety legislation ie. The CinC Fleet Fleet CinC The ie. legislation safety existing with near-misses and allows for rapid feedback of of feedback rapid for allows and near-misses

The MDSMS has been designed to work work to designed been has MDSMS The active incident reporting system that includes includes that system reporting incident active

safety within military diving at ALL levels. levels. ALL at diving military within safety we realised that we needed a blame-free, pro- blame-free, a needed we that realised we

System (MDSMS) is to promote a culture of of culture a promote to is (MDSMS) System Taking a leaf from the FAAs book book FAAs the from leaf a Taking

aim of the Military Diving Safety Management Management Safety Diving Military the of aim System will overcome this. this. overcome will System

awareness of diving safety at every level. The The level. every at safety diving of awareness the introduction of the Diving Incident Reporting Reporting Incident Diving the of introduction the

from unit level upwards. also aims to raise the the raise to aims also upwards. level unit from incidents was cumbersome and under-used and and under-used and cumbersome was incidents

The creation of specialist committees committees specialist of creation The The previous system for reporting diving diving reporting for system previous The

Service diving. diving. Service

The Diving Incident Reporting System System Reporting Incident Diving The

could make a real contribution to the safety of of safety the to contribution real a make could

that the average service diver, in the front line line front the in diver, service average the that

be to achieve military objectives. It was realised realised was It objectives. military achieve to be in this potentially hazardous field of operations. operations. of field hazardous potentially this in

make diving no more hazardous than it needed to to needed it than hazardous more no diving make more aware of the safety culture that must exist exist must that culture safety the of aware more

diving, there was much more we could do to to do could we more much was there diving, no matter what their experience or qualification, qualification, or experience their what matter no

checks and procedures are in effect for military military for effect in are procedures and checks The aim is that the MDSMS will make all divers divers all make will MDSMS the that is aim The

(DSR) of late 2002 identified that, while safety safety while that, identified 2002 late of (DSR) to be balanced against the military requirement. requirement. military the against balanced be to

and the Royal Navy Diving Safety Review Review Safety Diving Navy Royal the and operations are taking place and to allow safety safety allow to and place taking are operations

diving incidents. The resulting Boards of Inquiry Inquiry of Boards resulting The incidents. diving the forefront of everyone's mind whilst diving diving whilst mind everyone's of forefront the

RN has recently experienced a series of serious serious of series a experienced recently has RN we work). The goal is to ensure that safety is at at is safety that ensure to is goal The work). we

As you will undoubtedly be aware, the the aware, be undoubtedly will you As the DSR may mean some changes to the way that that way the to changes some mean may DSR the

quite stretch to that then here goes: goes: here then that to stretch quite Operations (although other ongoing work from from work ongoing other (although Operations

you are more than welcome! If your UIN won't won't UIN your If welcome! than more are you changed in the way we carry out diving diving out carry we way the in changed

everybody, but if you want to come to Toronto Toronto to come to want you if but everybody, At the frontline. nothing has really really has nothing frontline. the At

to brief you, many apologies. I couldn't get to to get couldn't I apologies. many you, brief to MEOs etc. etc. MEOs

So if I haven't got around to your unit yet yet unit your to around got haven't I if So need to be aware of diving safety ie. COs. XOs, XOs, COs. ie. safety diving of aware be to need

HSE. HSE. The MDSMS is also pertinent to non-divers that that non-divers to pertinent also is MDSMS The

down well with the diving hierarchy and the the and hierarchy diving the with well down a safety management system controlled by SofD. SofD. by controlled system management safety a

deal about safety systems the first draft went went draft first the systems safety about deal of the Military DSMS all divers will work under under work will divers all DSMS Military the of

simple and despite not really knowing a great great a knowing really not despite and simple under the authority of SofD and with the advent advent the with and SofD of authority the under

The setting up of the system was actually quite quite actually was system the of up setting The and Ship's divers. All military divers now come come now divers military All divers. Ship's and

complicated, unless you let it become that way. way. that become it let you unless complicated, Clearance Divers, SF. SAR divers. Army divers divers Army divers. SAR SF. Divers, Clearance

some would have you believe, it is not overly overly not is it believe, you have would some It applies to ALL military divers, ie. ie. divers, military ALL to applies It

simple soul like me. However, contrary to what what to contrary However, me. like soul simple months. months.

involvement, which was all quite baffling to a a to baffling quite all was which involvement, Sports diving) following suit over the next twelve twelve next the over suit following diving) Sports

about things like the HSE. safety cases and IPT IPT and cases safety HSE. the like things about year with the other organisations (Civilian and and (Civilian organisations other the with year

paper. and a baffling handover where he talked talked he where handover baffling a and paper. Military DSMS came into force in April this this April in force into came DSMS Military

Stu McAlear, from whom I inherited a lot of of lot a inherited I whom from McAlear, Stu (MoDDSMS) under the control of SofD. The The SofD. of control the under (MoDDSMS)

must give credit for the initial groundwork to to groundwork initial the for credit give must the MOD Diving Safety Management System System Management Safety Diving MOD the

quite hard graft putting the MDSMS together. I I together. MDSMS the putting graft hard quite systems. which, together with this one, will form form will one, this with together which, systems.

painting my house etc turned into 6 months of of months 6 into turned etc house my painting suit with their own diving safety management management safety diving own their with suit

relatively relaxed 3 months of diving, work-ups. work-ups. diving, of months 3 relaxed relatively Joint-service Sports diving will have to follow follow to have will diving Sports Joint-service

holdover period. What was supposed to be a a be to supposed was What period. holdover support divers (CSALMO and RMAS) and and RMAS) and (CSALMO divers support

was loaned to SofD's organisation for a 3 month month 3 a for organisation SofD's to loaned was the implementation of the MDSMS. Civilian Civilian MDSMS. the of implementation the

impending exchange appointment to Canada. I I Canada. to appointment exchange impending shortcomings and to reduce risk. Following Following risk. reduce to and shortcomings

in the frozen wastes of Faslane and awaiting my my awaiting and Faslane of wastes frozen the in error. to highlight technical and procedural procedural and technical highlight to error.

Having finished my previous appointment appointment previous my finished Having operation. Its purpose is to minimise human human minimise to is purpose Its operation.

Lt Cdr Sharkey Ward RN RN Ward Sharkey Cdr Lt

MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (MDSMS) (MDSMS) SYSTEM MANAGEMENT

THE MILITARY DIVING SAFETY SAFETY DIVING MILITARY THE www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk

that until now we had no system in place which what their experience, to raise a safety matter, would meet our objective. either internally within the ship or unit and With the Near Report Form we have externally to the Diving Standards Team. established a medium for any diver to report a The setting up of the system will of course minor occurance which might otherwise go entail some MINOR administrative procedures to unnoticed and which could have greater ensure that your unit acts in accordance with the repercussions if ignored. This Report Form does guidance contained in the DSMS. Other than not mean divers having to fill out a series of time- that, a standard quarterly safety meeting. (which consuming, repetitive forms. should happen anyway), quarterly signal and the clear So what does the MDSMS really mean? It correct dissemination throughout the unit of all means that more emphasis is placed upon your diving safety information is all that is required. safety and incident prevention by you. the diving The most important requirement is a safe and supervisor and by all divers in the unit, whilst positive train of thought. The MDSMS was you conduct the plethora of tasks carried out by a initially promulgated by DCI(JS) to bring it to the military diver. attention of all. not just divers. It will also The correct use of the DSMS and the become a separate chapter of BR 2806 at the next DIRS will mean that more incidents are amendment. prevented by good use of a pro-active safety Anything that raises safety within culture. If near-misses or incidents do occur they potentially hazardous military operations can can be reported or acted upon whilst not only be a positive step. The MDSMS is not attempting to lay blame. The MDSMS will not intended to prevent completion of a job. or hinder excuse negligence on the part of anyone but the brisk and professional way in which we instead attempts to promote a 'safety culture' conduct military diving but to complement the within military diving. positive and 'can do' manner that diving training The command are now required to take a imbues all military divers with. As with existing greater interest in the use and welfare of their health and safety legislation. it is not to be bolted diving team and the visibility of the ship's diving on as an after-thought but must be pushed and team will be heightened at all levels. There are promoted at all levels to become an integral part now more opportunities for all divers, no matter of the way in which we conduct our business.

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www.mcdoa.org.uk

the shortfall such as S2022 or letter to Squadron Squadron to letter or S2022 as such shortfall the barriers to class fit. fit. class to barriers

eyebrow and ask if any formal identification of of identification formal any if ask and eyebrow (INVERNESS) so I am aware of no further further no of aware am I so (INVERNESS)

the problems with XXXX?" I would raise an an raise would I XXXX?" with problems the fit. The RTPM2 final trial took place recently recently place took trial final RTPM2 The fit.

a meeting and say " What are you doing about about doing you are What " say and meeting a to finish...) and a COTS VCR completes the the completes VCR COTS a and finish...) to

to quiz me when I was sea riding or attending attending or riding sea was I when me quiz to RTPM programme without waiting for print jobs jobs print for waiting without programme RTPM

being the number of people that would want want would that people of number the being buffers that allow you to move through the the through move to you allow that buffers

not good at highlighting shortfalls. An example example An shortfalls. highlighting at good not (switch on and go. H&S acceptable paper and and paper acceptable H&S go. and on (switch

sea! Also. as a corporate body. we in the RN are are RN the in we body. corporate a as Also. sea! RTPM printer and SSRTSV hardcopy recorder recorder hardcopy SSRTSV and printer RTPM

it says on the tin. let the WO(MW) take it to to it take WO(MW) the let tin. the on says it on the floor), an Alden printer doubles up as as up doubles printer Alden an floor), the on

tool yes but, if you want to know if it does what what does it if know to want you if but, yes tool

so that the operator is not the one scrabbling scrabbling one the not is operator the that so

yTI yTI

gear tended to fail — So a useful development development useful a So — fail to tended gear the Aux Cab (the PEC boards take the bottom bottom the take boards PEC (the Cab Aux the

with the green. crinkly, no mermaids scenario, scenario, mermaids no crinkly, green. the with RTPM system now takes the upper section of of section upper the takes now system RTPM

can't yet model the sea properly??): when faced faced when properly??): sea the model yet can't shore-side analysis facility for post op work. The The work. op post for facility analysis shore-side

modelled ever worked properly at sea (maybe we we (maybe sea at properly worked ever modelled (to identify holidays in insonification) and a a and insonification) in holidays identify (to

raised it — in 3 years in post. nothing computer computer nothing post. in years 3 in — it raised than it's predecessor. inc ray bounce predictors predictors bounce ray inc predecessor. it's than

Computer modelling I hear some say? Glad you you Glad say? some hear I modelling Computer Ops Room. RTPM2 holds many more functions functions more many holds RTPM2 Room. Ops

unavailability equals delay in introduction. introduction. in delay equals unavailability give ORS/Ops a further computing facility in the the in facility computing further a ORS/Ops give

entity (nor would we wish them to). so platform platform so to). them wish we would (nor entity on a windows based COTS PC which will also also will which PC COTS based windows a on

will not blow money on purchasing an un-proven un-proven an purchasing on money blow not will RTPM2 looks to provide your predictions predictions your provide to looks RTPM2

stretched commitments — project management management project — commitments stretched

RTPM2 and Modified Auxiliary Cabinet Cabinet Auxiliary Modified and RTPM2

another stumbling block in today's world of of world today's in block stumbling another

the middle. Availability of trials platforms is is platforms trials of Availability middle. the

like most of reality. the truth is somewhere in in somewhere is truth the reality. of most like funding is withholding fit to class. class. to fit withholding is funding

Hebrides" demonstrate the diversity of opinion: opinion: of diversity the demonstrate Hebrides" FORACs range at Stavanger (Norway). only only (Norway). Stavanger at range FORACs

you the world but produce a hamlet in the outer outer the in hamlet a produce but world the you Successfully tested in CROMER on the the on CROMER in tested Successfully

a Bicycle" and. "The contractor will promise promise will contractor "The and. Bicycle" a horizontal scroll. scroll. horizontal

MOD wants a Rolls Royce but can only afford afford only can but Royce Rolls a wants MOD in a vertical 'waterfall' format as opposed to to opposed as format 'waterfall' vertical a in

offs have to take place. Two old analogies: " The The " analogies: old Two place. take to have offs enter it after re-boot. Side-scan is displayed displayed is Side-scan re-boot. after it enter

fulfilling all demands and concessions or trade- or concessions and demands all fulfilling when it is entered) so you cannot forget to re- to forget cannot you so entered) is it when

You) wants in lieu, their finance precludes them them precludes finance their lieu, in wants You) warning if Mag Var is not entered (extinguishes (extinguishes entered not is Var Mag if warning

modified or replaced and what the customer (ie. (ie. customer the what and replaced or modified at operator height). Other changes are a fault fault a are changes Other height). operator at

budget so. whilst they often know what you want want you what know often they whilst so. budget the left of the screen so that all functionality is is functionality all that so screen the of left the

MOD project staff are heavily restrained by by restrained heavily are staff project MOD on the single screen (CEU keypad is re-sited to to re-sited is keypad (CEU screen single the on

rules to understanding work undertaken (or not): not): (or undertaken work understanding to rules expanded range display and CEU Totes shown shown Totes CEU and display range expanded

omitted where necessary. There are some ground ground some are There necessary. where omitted flat screen with the main search/class picture. picture. search/class main the with screen flat

that why I was pursuing the solution has been been has solution the pursuing was I why that Consoles. The new consoles are single single are consoles new The Consoles.

time in post with the proviso that you accept accept you that proviso the with post in time

Sonar 2093: 2093: Sonar

some of the work, trials and projects from my my from projects and trials work, the of some

changed so. in this article I will try and review review and try will I article this in so. changed

meaningful in to this forum — that has not not has that — forum this to in meaningful no specific order: order: specific no

or replacement prohibited putting anything anything putting prohibited replacement or Sermon over then, crystal ball time. In In time. ball crystal then, over Sermon

the constraint driving the required modification modification required the driving constraint the investigate, modify or replace. replace. or modify investigate,

Mag and always responded that classification of of classification that responded always and Mag importantly. provide the argument for funding to to funding for argument the provide importantly.

often asked about writing articles for the MAD MAD the for articles writing about asked often identify trends, provide evidence and most most and evidence provide trends, identify

join MCM3. Throughout the time in post. I was was I post. in time the Throughout MCM3. join will debrief project staff but only formal reports reports formal only but staff project debrief will

Warfare Applicator in March of this year to to year this of March in Applicator Warfare observations in more formal feedback: the WO WO the feedback: formal more in observations

Integrated Project Team's (UWS IPT) Mine Mine IPT) (UWS Team's Project Integrated friendly WO(MW)s, but it is crucial to support support to crucial is it but WO(MW)s, friendly

3 years as the Underwater Warfare Systems Systems Warfare Underwater the as years 3 be "Er..well No". Please continue to talk to your your to talk to continue Please No". "Er..well be

I departed MOD Abbey Wood after after Wood Abbey MOD departed I Staff had been raised, the common reply would would reply common the raised, been had Staff

WO(MW) Pawl Stockley Stockley Pawl WO(MW)

Moving MW Equipment Forward Forward Equipment MW Moving

3 Years at Abbey Wood Wood Abbey at Years 3 - - www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk

Modified Flux Gate Compass bobbin, in turn offering multi-shot bobbins and reduced bobbin logistic frailties. Now in Provides superior positional accuracy service (post trials in CROMER. INVERNESS for bearing when calibrated and has been proven & PEMBROKE). Coaxial re-termination has to do so on the FORACS range (Norway)(trials also been trialed successfully (HURWORTH in INVERNESS and CROMER). Reservations & QUORN) although I have some personal over calibration procedure. validity and reservations over the financial gain versus interaction with magnetic dip, degaussing and operator effort of the latter. sea state (trials in SHOREHAM) continue to be investigated by further sea trials, simulated Manipulator Arm movements at the Magnetic Land Range and computer modelling — my successor, Pete The fragile manipulator arm has been Whitehead, will have carried out further trials by ruggedised and is now fit for (it's limited) the time of this magazine's issue. purpose. Extensive trials in CROMER proved the modifications and the arms are now held in store Technology Update for specific tasking if required; they will not be issued to hulls as a matter of course. A revamp of the Towed Body internal Funding. Handling and management of RCMDS workings is at the early discussion stages — one consumables has been an issue and it will for the horizon. continue if onboard procedures are not adhered to. RCMDS funding will be phased towards Sonar 2059: Mine Disposal System (MDS — often incorrectly referred to as 'one shot') idc — don't compound The Replacement Control Unit is being the ramp down problems before the system is developed to improve vehicle tracking and I withdrawn from service. MDS will take a while presided over first sea trials in 2002 (QUORN) to enter if we are not to repeat past mistakes. which provided valuable R&D data to allow Whilst systems are available from commercial further progress. A further trial is planned for suppliers now, proper investigations and trials early Autumn 2003. (Timely reminder for the into acoustic and magnetic signatures, effective- MHSCs: ness of charge, hydrodynamic stability and If you hover with your stbd shaft going onboard integration with other systems take time astern you will put the wash over the probe and — cost is not the only consideration. deafen it. Hover with port astern and stbd ahead and you will see markedly improved tracking). SONAR 193M: Universal Transponder A slowly fading beast, spares have been Successfully trialed in BRIDPORT and ramped down in advance of the 2193 fit. Any BROCKLESBY, now in service. One transponder work done on 193m was to explore spend to save for Hunt. Sandown and Sub Rescue, fully measures to get the system to the end of it's life interchangeable with channel settings switched with the exception of LEDBURY's FORACs to align with the host sonar on the vessel. Firm ranging which was to identify the alignment 'click' channel selectors to remove ambiguity accuracy of the system, establishing a base line of on/off/channels. The Uni Transponder also for the Hunt in advance of 2193 Fleet Weapon brought a markedly improved vehicle tracking Acceptance (FWA) and identifying suitability of performance with it. some of the 193m components for use with 2193 (e.g. the Stable platform). RCMDS:

Ballast & Trim weights for the Mk Minewarfare Tactical Support System: 2 vehicle to allow the operator to 'trim' for different salinities. Successfully trialed in In it's death throws and many would not WALNEY in UK, Middle Eastern, Med and offer the kiss of life. Any changes now will be Baltic Waters, the vehicles are now modified and driven by safety cases, otherwise the introduction the spread-sheet for density versus weight fit is of Minewarfare Tactical Support System now being readied for issue. (Replacement), MTSS(R) will be the next major Fuwakara Fibre Optic Splicer. Can be operated event. The Tender Assessment has completed by an OM and pronounced by a Chief. A and a supplier elected. The new system should splendid little piece of kit that allows onboard be with us by 2005 and will sport many features re-termination of the fibre optic RCMDS2 not unlike the RANs MINTACs system. Many

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www.mcdoa.org.uk

successor. successor. Don't be shy. shy. be Don't

for maximum swept depth under trial by my my by trial under depth swept maximum for I am in Faslane with MCM3. We have a kettle. kettle. a have We MCM3. with Faslane in am I

scrutiny and streaming procedures and speeds speeds and procedures streaming and scrutiny

Pete Whitehead now has the reins and and reins the has now Whitehead Pete

WS N1k 8. Calibration of KOMs under under KOMs of Calibration 8. N1k WS

to help you. you. help to

TAG. Sorted. Sorted. TAG.

of shortfalls as previously mentioned. Help them them Help mentioned. previously as shortfalls of

Minesweeping System (RIMS) please? please? (RIMS) System Minesweeping

help them fight for funding with written evidence evidence written with funding for fight them help

Please Mr. can I have my Remote Influence Influence Remote my have I can Mr. Please

the MCMV flotilla. willing to assist — you can can you — assist to willing flotilla. MCMV the

modifications are now aimed at support savings. savings. support at aimed now are modifications

platforms etc often surfaced. They do monitor monitor do They surfaced. often etc platforms

a new towing elbow are on trial as I type. All All type. I as trial on are elbow towing new a

of financial or time constraints, availability of test test of availability constraints, time or financial of MS Mk 14. Re-mateable connectors and and connectors Re-mateable 14. Mk MS

frustrations that they could not do more because because more do not could they that frustrations

Mine Sweeping: Sweeping: Mine

team I worked with are extremely committed and and committed extremely are with worked I team

not supporting us. I urge you to think again. The The again. think to you urge I us. supporting not

an impact on the future intentions for RSDB. RSDB. for intentions future the on impact an

Civil Servants at Abbey Wood are not listening or or listening not are Wood Abbey at Servants Civil

Military Layers (AMLs) next year may well have have well may year next (AMLs) Layers Military

wasn't fun. For those of you who believe that the the that believe who you of those For fun. wasn't AID systems). Introduction of Additional Additional of Introduction systems). AID

a course was lectured to. I'd be lying if I said it it said I if lying be I'd to. lectured was course a with MTSS (which in turn works with the ship's ship's the with works turn in (which MTSS with

Part IV trials (some easier than others) and many many and others) than easier (some trials IV Part producing some goods. Interface now working working now Interface goods. some producing

Over it's teething problems and and problems teething it's Over the latter 5 batch 2 MHCs were pushed through through pushed were MHCs 2 batch 5 latter the

combined aim — no small challenge. Additionally, Additionally, challenge. small no — aim combined

Route Survey Data Base: Base: Data Survey Route

contractors and MCMV IPT to achieve our our achieve to IPT MCMV and contractors

involved in some detailed work for various various for work detailed some in involved and 'funding' 'funding' and

and sweat to achieve the above and I also became became also I and above the achieve to sweat and — please start reading again at the word 'budgets' 'budgets' word the at again reading start please —

ignored but must be aspirations for the future future the for aspirations be must but ignored years does it? There were a lot of hours. miles miles hours. of lot a were There it? does years

were both heard and understood. They were not not were They understood. and heard both were It doesn't look like much work for 3 3 for work much like look doesn't It

to other units via MTSS and your arguments arguments your and MTSS via units other to

Summary Summary of you out there %%anted real time connectivity connectivity time real %%anted there out you of www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk A Fishy Tale

by Knocker Nigel White

In 1975 the then Saturation Diving Team but it was big and we were not a pair of happy went to Panama City in Florida to prove the teddy's. As the bell oscillated with the swell saturation decompression tables they had been so would our new visitor as it closed in on us. I doing trials on for the previous two & half years. remember hanging onto the onboard gas cylinder These dives were done with the USN Navy on frame work and it appeared to be as high as I was board their barge the YDT-I6 using their Mk I tall including the extension to my height with my Deep Dive System. Jet fins on and wide enough to support a mouth The dive team comprised off: Lt Cdr with lips like Dunlop tyres! As the bell dropped Chippy Norton. FCPO Nobby Clark. CPO Cris towards our new friend it veered off and did a Ballanger. PO Darby Allen. Medics Dolly Grey quick circuit and came in again and so the game & Charlie Borge. CDIls Tony Pritchard. Billy went on. Darby and I looked at each other and Smart. Jock McGovern. Bagsy Baker. Dusty read each others thoughts. "'••• THIS! We were Miller. Jock Ohanlen. Jan Pauley. Icey Coldwell. in the Navy and not the Army and we were not Jim Mead & Knocker White. going to "soldier on"! Darby indicated for me to get back into 13-07-75 the bell. last out - first back in. I went into the The time came to do our first dive, so trunking that was already flooded and started Darby. the bellman & I suited up in the entry lock entering the bell. As I was passing up through and then transferred under pressure into the bell. the trunking the valve on my hot water suit, that The hatch in the entry lock was closed as was controls the water intake from the hot water the hatch in the bell and the trunking. that is the umbilical. became fouled on the outer lip of the dividing passage between the two was vented of trunking. There I was hanging there with my legs pressure to atmosphere. The bell was then locked dangling out of the trunking from the waste down off and we were lowered over the side to depth. like a couple of little worms acting as an enticing At depth we did our pre dive procedure piece of bait to catch a big fish! I was feeling and Darby & I donned our bail-outs (emergency very vulnerable at that moment in time! gas supply cylinder) and put on our KMB 9s Mean while Darby was equally and locked out. moments of glory. we were the uncomfortable and was having thoughts like first divers on the team to lock out in saturation shall I cut his legs oft'? Just then I freed myself into the open sea. There was a long lazy swell and got into the bell and without taking any of running that day and as the bell wire winch was my kit off. I stood up and moved around the not on an automatic compensator to maintain a hatch combing of the bell trunking in order constant depth the bell moved up and down in to make way for Darby who would be hot on time with the movement of the YTD 16 on the my tail. Sure enough up came Darby through surface swell. the trunking. now Darby weighed 200 lbs in Darby locked out first. followed by myself his nicks & socks. add to that his diving kit. and due to the bells movement we hung onto bailout cylinder & lead weights etc all of which the onboard gas cylinders frame work while we amounted to a respectable weight. The adrenaline checked each other out for leaks. It was a good was running and with that comes strength, "fight day for diving. at a 100 meters the water was or flight". I bent over and crabbed his diver crystal clear. As I was checking Darby out for recovery 'D' ring situated at the back of his leaks. I noticed a fuzzy kind of shadow in the bailout jacket and lifted him out of the trunking far distance. at the range of the visibility where in one movement and sat him down in the bell. objects start to get blurred before they disappear. We took our KMBs off and just looked at But rather than disappearing, it was getting each other for a while. after all what was there to closer! I started pointing and gesticulating say? towards it. Darby was looking all around. So what was it that had come to play with everywhere but the right place and through his us? The answer was a Jewfish. a member of faceplate I could see the look of puzzlement on the Grouper family and known to the Arabs as his face. but not for long! •Hamour. There it was in all its greater glory Grouper is the common name for coming to check out what surface creatures had numerous heavy-bodied. large-jawed. sedentary descended into its territory? It was not a shark fishes. Most groupers are members of the genera

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Epinephelus and Mycteroperca of the family The story lives on: Some how the story Serranidae and inhabit temperate and. especially. found its way in to a couple of the British tropical waters. They vary in size and most tabloids and one day back in Portsmouth. groupers can change their coloration. Some, such Sue (my girlfriend now wife) was passing the as the blue-spotted argus. Cephalophalus argus. time of day in a dentists waiting room for her can do this almost instantaneously, changing appointment when all of a sudden she started from a dark to a light color phase when feeding shouting. "That's my boyfriend" and everybody or alarmed. The blackfin grouper. M. bonaci, is in the waiting room were made aware of the story dark red when taken in deep waters but much of "Dwarby-Fu" lighter when taken in shallow waters. The smaller By way of explanation I will have to back species that show spectacular colour changes track to the time when Darby knew a young lady are highly valued by aquarists. Many species who did not so much have a speech impediment undergo sex reversal, from male to female. but is what may be called awfully well spoken producing sperm when young and eggs later on. and when addressing Darby she would call Sometimes they produce both. but whether they upon him with those immortal words "Dwarby can self-fertilize is not known. Dwarfing- and our American cousins took great And from that esteemed family tree comes delight in picking up on this, much to their the well-known jewfish, or spotted grouper. E. amusement. itajara. found from Florida to Brazil who came to My interest in the Martial Arts had not visit Darby & I and is among the largest. reaching gone unnoticed and so "Fu" was an abbreviation about 340 kg (about 750 Ib). of Kung Fu. All though Jewfish are very sedentary. One of the Americans on board the YTD very inquisitive. very large. very territorial but 16 drew a cartoon of the incident that became supposedly harmless, it was on record that a USN known as "Dwarby-Fu". diver was sucked in by a Jewfish up to his waist Darby and I did a subsequent lockout and and when the Jewfish found it could not handle I remember it was a night dive and just before I taking in the bailout cylinder. it spat the diver out entered the entry lock Nobby came up to the got who apparently on being checked out on the surface onto the comms and asked me how I was feeling? found he was supporting a giant love bite from the "Ok thanks Nobby. but a little appreh-ensive. I hips down. (By ED - Some guys have all the luck!) wonder if it is still down there'?"

www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk a note on The RNLI

Dan Nicholson

A lot of water has passed under the bridge borders. For example Div Base (South) is at since I last communicated with the 'old team' Saltash and supports the 35 or so stations from of which I was once a very proud member — the west of the Isle of Wight. along the south coast MCD Branch. Although still a fully paid-up to include the south side of the Bristol Channel. member of the MCDOA I am now a fairly long- Each Div Base is led by a Divisional Inspector in-the tooth retiree from the game of hunting (DI) and he has 2 other Inspectors — one for mines. And. since 1995, have been involved in Training (TDI) and a Deputy (DDI). There the equally daunting and sophisticated business is also a healthy representation of engineers of hunting for casualties at sea — as a Training and technicians as well as admin staff who are Manager with the Royal National Lifeboat available to assist with any problems that occur at Institution at Poole. Dorset. any of the station in their 'patch'. Rob Hook tied on the right dry fly and The RNLI has more than 400 lifeboats. cast it my way a couple of weeks ago. Like a Just over 300 are operational at stations. the hungry (and foolish) trout I rose to it and would others are held in readiness (the relief fleet) in like to pass on to you some info about what we case any station boats are damaged or in need of (the RNLI) do and how the functions of our two replacement. refit or repair. This probably makes organisations are different yet similar. the RNLI one of the largest shipping companies It took me a good while to settle after 30 in UK! The lifeboats themselves are generically years in the RN. It seemed that I only had to add split into 2 groups. the Inshore fleet and the All- two more initials (LI) to those of my previous weather Lifeboat fleet. The former. ILBs. are organisation to make the transition. Not quite 5m - 9m RIBS and smaller inflatables while the true as. although there are by its very nature, a lot latter (ALBs) are displacement hulls from 12m of other professional mariners on the staff— this - 17m in length. They are all berthed or housed charity has far broader horizons than simply at their own stations around the coast in small. being the nation's number one maritime Search seaside villages, and are often community centres and Rescue organisation with an RN input. in their own right. You will no doubt have seen The RNLI is a voluntary organisation them as coastal landmarks (fixing points) and the incorporated in a Royal Charter for the purpose Institution tends to construct them to last — other of saving lives at sea. It is a registered charity phrases spring to mind! They all have fairly that exists to save lives at sea. It is funded unique launching methods such as slipways and entirely by voluntary contributions and receives carriages but that's for you to investigate when no government backing whatsoever. It costs a you visit the next one on your bucket and spade staggering £100M to run each year so you can leave with the wife and kids. readily see that fund-raising is a major part of To support this very complex and the organisation. For every £1 that is raised and diverse fleet there are more than 1000 full- spent about 85p goes to the 'teeth' and 15p goes time employees. About half are based at the to the 'tail'. We have to raise about £270,000 per Headquarters in Poole. Dorset and the remainder day to keep the complex system fully operational. are out on the coast as full-time Coxswains, There are at present 231 operational lifeboat mechanics. Divisional support staff and lifeboat stations around the coasts of the UK and professional fund-raisers. the Republic of Ireland. Like the Irish national How does it all work? The RNLI has rugby team, we know no borders throughout a charter with the government to provide a Ireland. The Island of Ireland is designated it maritime search and rescue service out to a as one of the 6 Operational Divisions run and certain distance off the coast and to get there administered by its own, discrete support base within a certain time. All the RNLI's lifeboats and multi-skilled staff in both Dublin and Belfast. are 'declared facilities' and the Search and The other 5 divisions are Scotland. North. East. Rescue Units (SRUs) may be called out by the West and South and they too have their own local Coast Guard MRSC/MRCC at any time of the divisional Headquarters within their geographical night or day 365 days of the year. They may also

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self-launch if there is an immediate life-saving RYA shore based theory courses at Coastal need. Skipper/Yachtmaster Offshore level and, as a The vessels are crewed almost entirely by registered RYA Training School, we provide the volunteers — about 4500 of them altogether. Each facilities for RYA Practical examinations at both ALB station has a full-time Mechanic and an levels using the 3 training lifeboats at Poole. increasing number have full-time Coxswains too. Search and Rescue training is, of course. one of There is only one station with a full-time crew our biggest issues. We run 'internal qualification' at Spurn Head. Humber and ILB stations do not courses in SAR and related subjects at 2 levels yet have any full time personnel. The volunteers for ALB crews and all the Inshore lifeboat operate on a pager call-out system that is usually courses include SAR components. activated by the Coast Guard after they have first But none of this training comes cheap. We requested and gained the permission from the currently spend in excess of £4m per year on crew station's Launching Authority. He/she or they are training. From my previous training experience the volunteer officials who are affiliated to each (Diving School and MW Section VERNON) station and who have the authority to say yes I find myself in a somewhat unusual situation to HMCG's request for a launch to a particular witnessing an increase' in training interest and casualty or situation. Sometimes this is not an investment. When I joined the RNLI in 1995 we easy task and calls for a detailed knowledge of were spending around £800K per year! the locality and the capabilities of the station boat In the last 2 years a Competency-based and its crew. Once launched, the ALB Coxswain Training regime has been introduced throughout or ILB Helmsman is in full command and works all the Operational Training that the RNLI directly with the Coast Guard's Regional Co- delivers. Having now left behind 'Objective ordinating Centre and the casualty by radio on Training' we can measure and record the VHF radio. If an ALB is on service outside VHF individual competencies of every crew-member range. on board MF/DSC facilities are available. in each skill area and all of our training now Training is a very big issue in the results in nationally recognised qualifications. RNLI. The natural turnover of volunteers is This is not the same as an NVQ system because between 10-15% per year and this alone makes there is not the same paper trail — but we do rely training (and assessment) a very large. ongoing heavily on the good old Task Books! requirement. The relatively small training staff Just around the corner (literally) stands the — around 25 Instructors — manages to deliver framework of the new Lifeboat Training College courses to about 3000 'bums on seats' each year. that will be ready for our occupancy mid-2004. It Students are trained at a variety of venues. As will take training to new levels and, with its own much as possible. we try to provide training at 60 en-suite bedrooms, will bring it all under one their stations to avoid having to take them away roof at Poole. It is a very exciting time and it is from their homes in their holiday time or from very gratifying to see proper recognition of the their work at their employees' concession. At importance of investing in training — some would their stations we can provide Mobile Training say "Yes, training is expensive, but think of the Units (MTUs) to deliver training in First Aid. cost of ignorance". Seamanship. Radio Communications and Radar/ Looking at the RNLI in more general Electronic Navigation. The MTUs are, if you terms I would draw your attention to the latest like, mobile classrooms in which the Instructor SAR Framework Document for the UK and is also the driver. He provides the specialist Northern Ireland produced by the Maritime & training in his Unit (or a local facility). These Coastguard Agency (June 2002). This short courses last up to 2 weeks (4 evenings a week) book describes the background. scope and and successful students receive nationally responsibilities of UK Search and Rescue and accredited qualifications. its strategic and operational management. It Other training delivery takes place at the also describes more fully those authorities and Training Centre. Poole (for ALBs) and at a organisations who provide a significant role in smaller Centre (for ILBs) in Cowes, Isle of the provision of SAR. This framework document Wight. In addition, we outsource our Sea does not cover the Republic of Ireland but to re- Survival iterate, the RNLI is just as active there — with the training to maritime colleges. We try to ensure Irish Coast Guard and Department of the Marine that every sea-going crew member has this — as it is in UK. qualification. How will you come across the lifeboats? The RNLI encourages and sponsors Apart from visits you might make (and the public crewmembers to take other courses by distance at large is more than welcome) to individual learning or at night school. Favourites are the stations, your first meeting might be at sea

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during a search mission for a lost vessel. This Unit personnel out to the UXO sites that may be is really where the well-trained crews come into out of reach of their own water transportation. their own. The local knowledge of the crews Since 1997 I have had in place an agreement is something we expect of them — we could with both the RN and HMCG that lifeboats are never train them in this. I have many spent not to be involved directly to these incidents. hours weaving in and out of salmon farms in a Quite simply. neither the boats nor the crews are Scottish loch in a 52 ft Arun class lifeboat and insured for such activities. But they can and will other (interesting at my golden age) being in awe assist in establishing a cordon around an area to of the young helm of a 16 ft inflatable D Class warn off any other shipping. So please remember who could breaks through a gap in the Cardigan next time you EOD men get a call, the lifeboats Bay surf to rescue a young family stranded by exist simply to save lives at sea. the rising tide. The all-weather boats are well The overall messages I would pass to you equipped for accurate navigation. For the last about working with lifeboats are that they are 10 years they have had electronic raster charts very seaworthy. have limited endurance. their (ARCS) a good commercial radar (Racal Decca crews are well experienced in SAR but they have Bridgemaster series) and. of course. a very robust very limited co-ordinating capabilities. This DGPS. Not that absolute reliance is placed upon may be where warships arc best employed, as electronic navigation. BA charts are also held the SAR co-ordinator. The lifeboat crews can although position fixing is somewhat difficult in give lots of local advice and the Coast Guard will a small boat in a force 8! In the big boats, a full give direction. I have even heard of cases where first aid outfit and stretchers are carried and a the co-ordinating warship took on board an number of crew are qualified first aiders. a self- experienced lifeboat crew as SAR advisor — and contained salvage pump (in waterproof capsule) this happy combination worked too! and, in some cases a daughter boat which has If you would like more information on a reasonable capability in calm weather. All how lifeboats and the RNLI in general works lifeboats can tow but this is not their main task. I would be more than happy to either provide If the best way to save lives is by towing a written briefs or visit you in person. But the best casualty vessel to safety then that's fine but we're source of such information is certainly from the not in the business of property salvage. crews themselves at their stations around our The real strength in depth of the crews coasts. I am sure they would really appreciate a is detailed knowledge of their own area but the tour of your grey steamers and would be proud to more experienced members are trained in how to show off their stations and boats to you too. develop search areas using conventional, agreed I hope that this has given you some food patterns. There is generally only one radio for thought and perhaps helped to bridge some of operator in each lifeboat and. although a number the gaps in your general knowledge of this truly of the crew might be qualified, the radio watch amazing national institution. Our Headquarters is capability is very limited. More modern vessels here at Poole and we would be more than happy have voice recorders but most radio operators to host visits — especially once we are installed in still have to keep a manual record. This is done our new Training College — after July 2004. for post-exercise report purposes but all radio My very best wishes to you all and please transmissions are fully recorded by the local do keep up the MCD traditions and standards. Coast Guard station anyway. they are important. See you at sea sometime One common area in which both our in something orange and blue — probably in the organisations get involved is EOD! Surprised? Solent. Yes, so was I when I was made the RNLI's Point of Contact for such matters. Every year lifeboats are involved in a number of incidents involving Dan Nicholson UXOs (I hope this is still the OK phrase). RNLI All-weather Lifeboats Training Manager Coxswains regularly get asked to transport EOD MCDO Course of 69/70

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where Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit 2 2 Unit Salvage and Diving Mobile where decompression and therapeutic recompression. recompression. therapeutic and decompression

Navy Amphibious Base. Little Creek. Virginia. Virginia. Creek. Little Base. Amphibious Navy (SNDL) to be used for both surface surface both for used be to (SNDL)

The three of us departed for the East Coast. to to Coast. East the for departed us of three The prototype Standard Navy Double Lock chamber chamber Lock Double Navy Standard prototype

& inches and psi instead of bars and metres. metres. and bars of instead psi and inches & stage handling procedures and operation of the the of operation and procedures handling stage

and some classroom work reverting back to feet feet to back reverting work classroom some and Flyaway Mixed Gas System (FMGS). diving diving (FMGS). System Gas Mixed Flyaway

Superlite 17B). work up chamber dives to 165 ft ft 165 to dives chamber up work 17B). Superlite Procedures and Emergency Procedures on the the on Procedures Emergency and Procedures

shallow water training dives on Mk21 (KMB (KMB Mk21 on dives training water shallow personnel. Training consisted of Operating Operating of consisted Training personnel.

spent in San Diego working at CDU. conducting conducting CDU. at working Diego San in spent diving detachments integrated by MDSU2 MDSU2 by integrated detachments diving

th th June 2002. Two weeks were were weeks Two 2002. June California on the 6 the on California approximately 25 personnel from various US US various from personnel 25 approximately

to participate. Both arrived in San Diego. Diego. San in arrived Both participate. to noon and midnight. Each crew consisted of of consisted crew Each midnight. and noon

Shaw were chosen by their respective Units Units respective their by chosen were Shaw crew and night crew with a watch turnover at at turnover watch a with crew night and crew

Leading Divers "Sonny" Liston and "Arty" "Arty" and Liston "Sonny" Divers Leading dive teams. Dive teams were split into a day day a into split were teams Dive teams. dive

this exchange. After consultation with FDHQ FDHQ with consultation After exchange. this conducted by MDSU2 personnel with assigned assigned with personnel MDSU2 by conducted

divers from SDU and NDG to participate in in participate to NDG and SDU from divers under tow to the wreck location, training was was training location, wreck the to tow under

task, it seemed appropriate to ask for experienced experienced for ask to appropriate seemed it task, to Cape Hatterras. North Carolina. Whilst Whilst Carolina. North Hatterras. Cape to

Due to the nature of the USS MONITOR MONITOR USS the of nature the to Due from Norfolk on 23 June for the 36 hour transit transit hour 36 the for June 23 on Norfolk from

equates roughly to that of an RN Diver 2's. 2's. Diver RN an of that to roughly equates plus divers and barge crew. The barge departed departed barge The crew. barge and divers plus

Parachute Riggers' (PRC) diving qualification qualification diving (PRC) Riggers' Parachute and guns. plus living accommodation for 90 90 for accommodation living plus guns. and

and you may have the situation where a CPO CPO a where situation the have may you and would be required to lift the MONITOR's turret turret MONITOR's the lift to required be would

source branch in either diving communities. communities. diving either in branch source recompression chambers. a 500 ton crane. which which crane. ton 500 a chambers. recompression

Diving in the US. Confusingly Diver is not a a not is Diver Confusingly US. the in Diving surface supplied diving system. two containerised containerised two system. diving supplied surface

with some justification. the experts in Military Military in experts the justification. some with Saturation Diving System. a helium Oxygen Oxygen helium a System. Diving Saturation

than EOD. they therefore consider themselves. themselves. consider therefore they EOD. than from trade. The barge was fitted out with a a with out fitted was barge The trade. from

Divers spend significantly more time underwater underwater time more significantly spend Divers Gulf of Mexico for oil exploration. contracted contracted exploration. oil for Mexico of Gulf

purely a means of transport to the target. Fleet Fleet target. the to transport of means a purely offshore facilities barge. normally used in the the in used normally barge. facilities offshore

and their primary skill is in EOD. with diving diving with EOD. in is skill primary their and The mission dive platform was an an was platform dive mission The

the mission platform for the turret recovery task. task. recovery turret the for platform mission the EOD divers, who are a separate entity entirely entirely entity separate a are who divers, EOD

derivative known as Mk20. Second. there are are there Second. Mk20. as known derivative Norfolk Navy Yards. which was to be utilized as as utilized be to was which Yards. Navy Norfolk

gear. KMB Superlite 17B and an AGA Divator Divator AGA an and 17B Superlite KMB gear. days delay for weather we joined the barge. at at barge. the joined we weather for delay days

engineering. They primarily use surface supplied supplied surface use primarily They engineering. for the USS MONITOR recovery. After a few few a After recovery. MONITOR USS the for

(MDSU2) is situated: this unit were the lead Unit Unit lead the were unit this situated: is (MDSU2) mainly conduct salvage tasks and underwater underwater and tasks salvage conduct mainly

Fleet Divers or 'Hard Hat' Salvage Divers, who who Divers, Salvage Hat' 'Hard or Divers Fleet

Dive Barge Barge Dive two very different elements. First, there are are there First, elements. different very two

be understood that the community is split into into split is community the that understood be

With regard to US Navy diving. it must must it diving. Navy US to regard With

US Navy Divers Divers Navy US

cross-poll of personnel. personnel. of cross-poll

Consolidated Divers Unit (CDU). to organize the the organize to (CDU). Unit Divers Consolidated

in San Diego I was asked by the Command at at Command the by asked was I Diego San in

Programme Chief Diver for the US Navy based based Navy US the for Diver Chief Programme

North Carolina. As the UK Personnel Exchange Exchange Personnel UK the As Carolina. North

(70 m) of water 17 miles off Chesapeake Bay. Bay. Chesapeake off miles 17 water of m) (70

USS MONITOR. The wreck lies in 240 ft ft 240 in lies wreck The MONITOR. USS

the turret recovery of the historic wreck the the wreck historic the of recovery turret the

Clearance Diving community to participate in in participate to community Diving Clearance

invited representatives of the Royal Navy Navy Royal the of representatives invited

USN. Supervisor of Salvage. for the US Navy. Navy. US the for Salvage. of Supervisor USN.

In early 2002 Captain Chris Murray Murray Chris Captain 2002 early In

The Task Task The

CPO(D) Steve Strange Strange Steve CPO(D)

& THE USS MONITOR EXPEDITON 2002 2002 EXPEDITON MONITOR USS THE &

RN DIVERS DIVERS RN

S S

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to the Hampton Roads. This was the first time in history that ironclad, steam powered ►warships had confronted each other. Rumour ran rife about the imminent conflict and thousands of onlookers gathered on each bank of the river in eager anticipation of the coming battle. The ships eventually engaged and fought a running battle for 4 hours, firing at times at point blank range. The cannon shots bounced off each armoured ship like spitballs. denting but not seriously damaging either ship. although the Captain of the MONITOR was nearly blinded by hot shards from a direct hit on the pilothouse. After slugging it out for so long, the two ships finally withdrew. both ships' boilers seriously overheating, and each side claimed victory. This inconclusive battle however ushered in a new era of Naval Warfare, signalling forever the end of wooden fighting ships. The MONITOR spent the next nine • S months patrolling the James River finally receiving orders to head South. On December 31 1862. the ship was under tow, 16 miles off Cape Hatteras on route to Charleston. when a storm passed through. With only 18 inches of freeboard and worn caulking between the turret and the hull The wreck of the USS MONITOR keeping the Atlantic out, the ship was in grave The USS MONITOR was revolutionary danger. Late that evening the ships' pumps had warship for its day: one of the first ironclad been overwhelmed by the amount of water the warships. the MONITOR started life as. the MONITOR was shipping, the ship ►was in fact USS MERRIMACK. a conventional fighting sinking slowly. Sometime around midnight the sailing frigate of the Union Na►y. The ship was order was given to abandon ship. however during re-launched in January 1862 as the MONITOR this last act the MONITOR ►was broached by a and had been totally metamorphosed into a sleek huge wave and turned turtle. The only escape iron warship with virtually no freeboard, with route from the ship was through the turret and a 5 inch thick armoured belt and a 360-degree. this was ►were the last 12 men were waiting to revolving armoured turret, complete ►with two depart when the ship sank. 11-inch cannon. At the height of the American Civil War, the Confederates had a superior Navy to their Union counterparts, ►with the Confederate ironclad CSS VIRGINIA creating havoc in the Hampton Roads, having rammed and disabled the USS MINNESOTA. The Confederate Navy was threatening to proceed up the Potomac River. into the very heart of Washington ►with the Union fleet at its mercy. On March 9 1862 barely 2 months after it's launch the t►wo ironclads were to go head to head ►with each other in the entrance Turret recovery

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of normally 4 periods of 30 min on 02. 02. on min 30 of periods 4 normally of involved and will be long remembered. remembered. long be will and involved

placed in the chamber for surface decompression decompression surface for chamber the in placed RN Divers, was a rewarding experience for all all for experience rewarding a was Divers, RN

would be brought to the deck and the divers divers the and deck the to brought be would diving counterparts. who have great respect for for respect great have who counterparts. diving

stops. mostly on 50/50 Heliox mix, the stage stage the mix, Heliox 50/50 on mostly stops. opportunities. The integration with our US US our with integration The opportunities.

to leave bottom. After the designated in-water in-water designated the After bottom. leave to unfamiliar rules. with limited familiarization familiarization limited with rules. unfamiliar

30-40 ft to the stage and get squared away ready ready away squared get and stage the to ft 30-40 of diving another nation's equipment. using using equipment. nation's another diving of

back to the stage. climb their own umbilical the the umbilical own their climb stage. the to back scale diving ops. The team enjoyed the challenge challenge the enjoyed team The ops. diving scale

At the designated time the divers would be called called be would divers the time designated the At allowed useful experience to be gained in large- in gained be to experience useful allowed

guests on stops being inquisitive and persistent. persistent. and inquisitive being stops on guests It proved how adaptable RN Divers are and and are Divers RN adaptable how proved It

strong and variable. Barracudas were the normal normal the were Barracudas variable. and strong conditions on a multi-million dollar operation. operation. dollar multi-million a on conditions

and manageable. however near the surface it was was it surface the near however manageable. and first foreign nationals to do so. in challenging challenging in so. do to nationals foreign first

structure. The current on the seabed was steady steady was seabed the on current The structure. RN Divers to dive on a truly historic wreck, the the wreck, historic truly a on dive to Divers RN

lot of bunker coal had concreted itself around the the around itself concreted had coal bunker of lot This was a unique opportunity for three three for opportunity unique a was This

recovery: because the wreck was upside down a a down upside was wreck the because recovery: Conclusion Conclusion

from on and around the turret in preparation for for preparation in turret the around and on from

typical tasks would be to clear away debris debris away clear to be would tasks typical and were involved in an EOD job in South Wales. Wales. South in job EOD an in involved were and

were naturally always given 40 minutes! The The minutes! 40 given always naturally were US divers experienced life in an RN EOD Unit Unit EOD RN an in life experienced divers US

they would be given 20 minutes. the RN divers divers RN the minutes. 20 given be would they constraints, the divers remained with SDUl. The The SDUl. with remained divers the constraints,

they would be given 40 min bottom time, if not not if time, bottom min 40 given be would they one week with NDG. however due to time time to due however NDG. with week one

divers were productive and achieving the task task the achieving and productive were divers USN divers to spend one week with SDG and and SDG with week one spend to divers USN

then leap off the stage and go to work, if the the if work, to go and stage the off leap then Diving Group. The original intention was for for was intention original The Group. Diving

structure in the advent of drift. Divers would would Divers drift. of advent the in structure UK in July and were hosted by the Southern Southern the by hosted were and July in UK

within 30 ft of the wreck so as not to damage the the damage to not as so wreck the of ft 30 within Two USN Is' Class Divers visited the the visited Divers Class Is' USN Two

mix would be selected and the stage lowered to to lowered stage the and selected be would mix

UK Visit Visit UK

life on or near the surface). At 30 ft bottom bottom ft 30 At surface). the near or on life

air to 30 ft (the 15% 02 mix would not sustain sustain not would mix 02 15% (the ft 30 to air

shown. shown.

of divers would descend on the stage initially on on initially stage the on descend would divers of

MDSU2, for all the effort and professionalism professionalism and effort the all for MDSU2,

surface supply with divers wearing boots. A pair pair A boots. wearing divers with supply surface

Murray USN. and Cdr. Bobbie Scholley. CO of of CO Scholley. Bobbie Cdr. and USN. Murray

Diving is conducted using a diving stage on on stage diving a using conducted is Diving

1 Jul 02 having been personally thanked by Capt. Capt. by thanked personally been having 02 Jul 1

and 2 hours in the chamber. All US Salvage Salvage US All chamber. the in hours 2 and

and standby divers. The RN divers departed on on departed divers RN The divers. standby and

minute bottom time, giving 65 min in-water stops stops in-water min 65 giving time, bottom minute

drivers, attendants. comms number, dive recorder recorder dive number, comms attendants. drivers,

procedures. Dives profiles were usually 40- usually were profiles Dives procedures.

the mission fulfilling primary tasks as. chamber chamber as. tasks primary fulfilling mission the

tables being similar in almost all respects to those those to respects all almost in similar being tables

divers were fully integrated into all aspects of of aspects all into integrated fully were divers

anyone who has dived RN 75 m surface supplied supplied surface m 75 RN dived has who anyone

supervise dives and surface decompression. RN RN decompression. surface and dives supervise

decompression stops. This table is familiar to to familiar is table This stops. decompression

during the period on board and I was invited to to invited was I and board on period the during

for the depth. employing in water and surface surface and water in employing depth. the for

In all 5 dives were made by RN divers divers RN by made were dives 5 all In

were mixed gas He/02 using 85%/15% mix mix 85%/15% using He/02 gas mixed were

from a stage, with hot water. Diving tables used used tables Diving water. hot with stage, a from

21 hardhats (KMB Supertight 17), booted diving diving booted 17), Supertight (KMB hardhats 21

surface supplied dives were conducted using Mk Mk using conducted were dives supplied surface

at noon and finishing watch at midnight. All All midnight. at watch finishing and noon at

divers being attached to the day crew, starting starting crew, day the to attached being divers

commenced immediately with all Royal Navy Navy Royal all with immediately commenced

early on the 26 August. in 240 ft water. Diving Diving water. ft 240 in August. 26 the on early

placed in an 8-point moor over the MONITOR MONITOR the over moor 8-point an in placed

turret required to be cut away. The barge was was barge The away. cut be to required turret

turret, with the section of armour belt pinning the the pinning belt armour of section the with turret,

from around the armour belt to gain access to the the to access gain to belt armour the around from

turret. Vast quantities of debris had to be removed removed be to had debris of quantities Vast turret.

the armour belt of the ship coming to rest on the the on rest to coming ship the of belt armour the

first, the hull of the ship landed upside down with with down upside landed ship the of hull the first,

descent with the gravity held turret falling away away falling turret held gravity the with descent

The ship when it sank in 1862. inverted on on inverted 1862. in sank it when ship The

possibly the remains of 12 sailors who perished. perished. who sailors 12 of remains the possibly

which contained the two 11 in. cannons, and and cannons, in. 11 two the contained which

recover the armoured turret of the MONITOR. MONITOR. the of turret armoured the recover

The mission during this salvage period was to to was period salvage this during mission The www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk

Northern Diving Group

Range Clearance Operations at Cape Wrath - Garvie Island

Lieutenant Commander John Burden RN deployed 13 people to Garvie Island in the last Commanding Officer 2 weeks of July this year to clear up unexploded Northern Diving Group ordnance dropped by aircraft during exercises throughout 2002 and 2003. UW Photo's taken by Warrant Officer Garvie is situated on the NW tip of Diver Windy Gale (Olympus Camera) Scotland 6 miles west of the village of Durness. where the Diving Team stay whilst deployed. 41! Surface Photo's By Lt Cdr Burden The landscape and scenery in the area is SONY DSC F505V magnificent and on a sunny day from Balnakiel Beach you can be forgiven for thinking that In the rest room at Northern Diving you might just be somewhere in the Caribbean. Groups HQ building the Divers wait tentatively The water is crystal clear and chillingly cold. to find out who the Chief Diver has nominated the terrain ashore is considerably varied. There to go to Garvie Island this year. Tension is are towering sand dunes covered in tuft grass. high and when finally CPO (D) Willie Sharp deserted white sand beaches. 600 foot granite puts the names on the board there are going to cliffs and open moor land with magnificent be disappointed people. Going to Garvie to do vista's running back to the Scottish mountains in the underwater clearance of predominantly live the distance. For most of the 10 day period this 1000lb bombs is a great experience. The Diving year the weather was kind to NDG and so this is superb and although the weather can be tricky was our setting for 10 days of the best diving to even in difficult conditions the environment be found anywhere in the UK. beneath the waves is a paradise for a Clearance The team arrived at Garvie by road. the Diver. Supported by a SERCO vessel NDG long journey made all the more interesting by

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lb. 1111 1111 lb.

41 41

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knowledge proves that most of the weapons are are weapons the of most that proves knowledge filled with although the sea takes its toll of the the of toll its takes sea the although with filled

tidal conditions for diving operations. Previous Previous operations. diving for conditions tidal marked accordingly to indicate what they are are they what indicate to accordingly marked

the main land and the Island creates difficult difficult creates Island the and land main the either green (High Explosive) or blue (Inert) and and (Inert) blue or Explosive) (High green either

of the Island while the shallow gap between between gap shallow the while Island the of coloured 10001b bombs. The bombs are painted painted are bombs The bombs. 10001b coloured

metres. This shelves away rapidly to the North North the to rapidly away shelves This metres. leaks before leaving surface to look for the Green Green the for look to surface leaving before leaks

Garvie sits on a small shallow plateau at about 15 15 about at plateau shallow small a on sits Garvie divers enter the water and check each other for for other each check and water the enter divers

Willie and Jim plan the search area for the day. day. the for area search the plan Jim and Willie ready to enter the water final checks complete 3 3 complete checks final water the enter to ready

resuscitators are checked and fuel is loaded while while loaded is fuel and checked are resuscitators receive their final briefing and don their masks masks their don and briefing final their receive

prepared. diving boat preparations are all made, made, all are preparations boat diving prepared. the island there is great anticipation. The Divers Divers The anticipation. great is there island the

up the sets. Personal dive gear is checked and and checked is gear dive Personal sets. the up In the RHIB now sat just 10m away from from away 10m just sat now RHIB the In

heavily in the mornings work schedule topping topping schedule work mornings the in heavily packs for the inevitable live finds. finds. live inevitable the for packs

set for operations and the compressor features features compressor the and operations for set and start preparing the 4Ib explosive demolition demolition explosive 4Ib the preparing start and

desire is met. The team use the SABA diving diving SABA the use team The met. is desire about preparing a second wave of dive equipment equipment dive of wave second a preparing about

whole thing making sure that the Chief's every every Chief's the that sure making thing whole operation. The team left behind in OMAGH set set OMAGH in behind left team The operation.

Robbie Boyle and Cozy Powell oversee the the oversee Powell Cozy and Boyle Robbie the dive boat leaves the ships side to start the the start to side ships the leaves boat dive the

of diving equipment and gear. LDs Joe Gow. Gow. Joe LDs gear. and equipment diving of Balnakiel bay. With communications established established communications With bay. Balnakiel

remainder of the transit is hectic preparation preparation hectic is transit the of remainder that finds its way around Cape Wrath and into into and Wrath Cape around way its finds that

the Island. After securing the RHIB astern the the astern RHIB the securing After Island. the Garvie and tries to stay out of the Atlantic swell swell Atlantic the of out stay to tries and Garvie

mile to the west of the beach and enroute to to enroute and beach the of west the to mile OMAGH positions herself within 500m of of 500m within herself positions OMAGH

then transit out to RV with OMAGH about I I about OMAGH with RV to out transit then preps and load all their gear into the EOD RHIB. RHIB. EOD the into gear their all load and preps

the beach and is left each night. Kit and people people and Kit night. each left is and beach the complete the nominated dive team make final final make team dive nominated the complete

swim out to the EOD RHIB, which is moored off off moored is which RHIB, EOD the to out swim of the SABA air diving sets. Once the brief is is brief the Once sets. diving air SABA the of

get dressed into dive suits and make the 500m 500m the make and suits dive into dressed get the divers will operate the maximum endurance endurance maximum the operate will divers the

Balnakiel Beach. Here two of the youngsters youngsters the of two Here Beach. Balnakiel

head count and the team make the 2 mile trip to to trip mile 2 the make team the and count head

store for papers and rations, a quick load up and and up load quick a rations, and papers for store

followed by a quick call at MacKays village village MacKays at call quick a by followed

set routine, a hearty breakfast at the hotel is is hotel the at breakfast hearty a routine, set

A day of operations follows a fairly fairly a follows operations of day A

excellent support throughout the deployment. deployment. the throughout support excellent

everything they can for the dive team and provide provide and team dive the for can they everything

alongside and there is no TV signal. They do do They signal. TV no is there and alongside

only drips are that there is no where to get get to where no is there that are drips only

The crew are good old bunch of seadogs whose whose seadogs of bunch old good are crew The

excellent briefing, changing and stowage space. space. stowage and changing briefing, excellent

and a covered passenger area provides an an provides area passenger covered a and

diving gear and explosives prior to deployment deployment to prior explosives and gear diving

clear working area aft allows the team to prepare prepare to team the allows aft area working clear

for the duration and is ideal for our needs. A A needs. our for ideal is and duration the for

This small but robust vessel is a diving platform platform diving a is vessel robust but small This

out into our SERCO support boat the OMAGH. OMAGH. the boat support SERCO our into out

get all the necessary gear and equipment loaded loaded equipment and gear necessary the all get

assisted by PO (D) Jim Slade ensure the troops troops the ensure Slade Jim (D) PO by assisted

When operations begin Chief Sharp ably ably Sharp Chief begin operations When

when it will be full of Navy Divers! Divers! Navy of full be will it when

this place — just don't go the last 2 weeks in July July in weeks 2 last the go don't just — place this seabed as directed by the diving supervisor and and supervisor diving the by directed as seabed

by breathtaking scenery you really should visit visit should really you scenery breathtaking by allowing the divers to cover segments of the the of segments cover to divers the allowing

If you ever need a romantic break surrounded surrounded break romantic a need ever you If Search operations are to be conducted visually visually conducted be to are operations Search

all well fed and watered after each testing day. day. testing each after watered and fed well all Perry (both Canadian LS (D)) are all poised to go. go. to poised all are (D)) LS Canadian (both Perry

for the duration of our stay making sure we are are we sure making stay our of duration the for Gomer, Bry Bryson with Keith Bruce and Joe Joe and Bruce Keith with Bryson Bry Gomer,

the small retreat and Fiona marshals us around around us marshals Fiona and retreat small the their chance and Divers. Mac McCluskey. Joe Joe McCluskey. Mac Divers. and chance their

meet seems to be called MacKay. The team fill fill team The MacKay. called be to seems meet a detailed dive brief. All of the divers will get get will divers the of All brief. dive detailed a

part of the world indeed every other person we we person other every indeed world the of part gather in the cabin area of OMAGH and conduct conduct and OMAGH of area cabin the in gather

MacKay. The surname is not unusual in this this in unusual not is surname The MacKay. a diving perspective. With preps made the team team the made preps With perspective. diving a

to be the Parkhill Hotel, run by Fiona and Robbie Robbie and Fiona by run Hotel, Parkhill the be to the Island where conditions are more benign from from benign more are conditions where Island the

resting-place each night is "MacKays". what used used what "MacKays". is night each resting-place and Jim decide to operate on the Eastern side of of side Eastern the on operate to decide Jim and

IVECO truck along single track roads. Our Our roads. track single along truck IVECO Island with 600 meters of the rock. Today Will Will Today rock. the of meters 600 with Island

having to tow the 7m EOD RHIB behind an an behind RHIB EOD 7m the tow to having likely to be found directly East and West of the the of West and East directly found be to likely www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk

condition of the weapons. Beneath the waves the that the edge of the reef is close. As the deeper sound level falls the noise of the sea and wind water looms a gully forms in the rocks and there is gone. The diver makes a short descent to the below in the gully a shape that doesn't fit with seabed at 12m below him; he can see the bottom this natural habitat. At first the colour blends from the surface and knows this is going to be perfectly with the surrounding rocks and seabed a good dive. The environment is tranquil and but slowly as the diver approaches the tear drop the only sounds the diver hears are those made shape of a 1000 lb bomb becomes clear and by his exhaled gas. The through water comms defined. Excited by the initial find the diver now enable their progress to be monitored. On the hopes that as he closes in the dull grey hue of bottom the reef to the East of Garvie is thick with the weapon turns to green rather than blue. The brown kelp and the 2 meter long fronds make diver then notices the lighter faint line around the diver pay close attention to ensuring that the nose of the bomb — possibly a yellow band. his light line to his surface marker buoy is not Finally within 5 meters the weapon is clearly snagged. To be able to find his target the diver green in colour with a thin yellow band painted must swim down through the kelp leaves that around the nose. Most definitely one of this form a floating blanket above the granite rocky years unexploded bombs. The parachute tail is seabed below. Below the kelp fronds the scene still attached which makes it difficult to see the is darker but the water visibility is so good that fuze but there is no doubt that this one will go seeing for 20 metres is not a problem. Dog fish BANG! roam the area looking for prey and large crabs Carefully as briefed the diver examines the bury themselves in small crevasses and sand bomb without disturbing this beast of a weapon pockets. The occasional glimpse through the or its fuze. As the visibility is so good the diver kelp stalks of deeper blue water ahead indicate can ascend to the surface and call in the safety boat confident he will be able to relocate the bomb when he returns to the seabed. The Chief passes a marker float to attach to the bomb. 40 minutes later and all the divers are back in the RHIB having located 5 weapons. 3 are definites and 2 are older ones but could be live ones left from last year or the year before. The marker buoys bob up and down above the targets. while Puffins Petrels and Herring Gulls mill around the Island. A further 2 waves of divers conduct searches and by mid afternoon the team have located 9 targets for prosecution. As the day moves on the tidal stream starts to pick up and the overflows and tide rips to the South and West of the Island become impressive. In OMAGH several 4Ib explosive packs have been rigged and fitted with detonating cord. Detonators and safety fuze are rigged on bubble wrap float packs all ready for deployment. Jim and Willie discuss the plan for the afternoon and the lads are briefed to get lunch into them. Refuelled and refreshed the RHIB and the MIB leave OMAGH with divers and explosives. The plan is to dive 3 definite HE weapons and detonate them at one minute intervals. The dives are shorter this time and entail the diver swimming down to the bomb carrying the 4Ib pack while the surface team feed out the detonating cord from a drum in the safety boat. Positioning the boat without putting too much weight on the cord is testing. The diver attaches the 4-lb pack along the body of the bomb using four sewn in cords. The whole mass of the explosive is packed into a long rectangular canvass bag. Finally the bubble wrap blobs are fitted to each piece of detonating

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weather finally bucks bucks finally weather

start to the day the the day the to start

Games. After a dull dull a After Games.

Dumess Dumess Highland Highland

on a display at the the at display a on

the Divers also put put also Divers the

at Garvie this year year this Garvie at

During their stay stay their During

dinner menu. menu. dinner

facing Fiona's superb superb Fiona's facing

to unwind before before unwind to

allows the Team Team the allows

is accounted for and and for accounted is

Sands Oasis ensures that miss timed safety fuze fuze safety timed miss that ensures Oasis Sands

goes this well. An informal debrief at the Sango Sango the at debrief informal An well. this goes veritable adventure for the boys and their toys! toys! their and boys the for adventure veritable

Everyone is tired but content. Not everyday everyday Not content. but tired is Everyone minutes and 30 pieces of ordnance destroyed. A A destroyed. ordnance of pieces 30 and minutes

diving team by RHIB back into Balnakiel Bay. Bay. Balnakiel into back RHIB by team diving been completed. 83 Dives, total dive time 2050 2050 time dive total Dives, 83 completed. been

Finally the day over OMAGH drops the the drops OMAGH over day the Finally our every need and the operational task has has task operational the and need every our

clears quickly ready for the next wave of divers. divers. of wave next the for ready quickly clears for the entire trip, the hotel have looked after after looked have hotel the trip, entire the for

dead fry. The tide is now running and the water water the and running now is tide The fry. dead The weather has been unbelievably good good unbelievably been has weather The

on the surface and the seabirds feast on the small small the on feast seabirds the and surface the on with the local community is reinforced. reinforced. is community local the with

of seabed and black foam, stunned fish flounder flounder fish stunned foam, black and seabed of 2'. A great day is had by everyone and our bond bond our and everyone by had is day great A 2'.

return to the Island. The water is a boiled broth broth boiled a is water The Island. the to return mile run and impressively finishes finishes impressively and run mile 1' 4 , and and ,

2 weapons. After a safe wait period the boats boats the period wait safe a After weapons. 2 Rob Gormer also runs in the 100m, 200m and 3 3 and 200m 100m, the in runs also Gormer Rob

high order detonations destroy the remaining remaining the destroy detonations order high diplomatically lost — or so the Chief says. Diver Diver says. Chief the so or — lost diplomatically

watch counts down to the next target. 2 more more 2 target. next the to down counts watch 3'd place a second match against the Missfits is is Missfits the against match second a place 3'd

Yeahha ! the team are all smiles and the stop stop the and smiles all are team the ! Yeahha to the local Dumess boys 2-0. In a play off for for off play a In 2-0. boys Dumess local the to

explosive detonate in a fraction of a second. second. a of fraction a in detonate explosive against the Thurso Misfits 2-1, but then loose loose then but 2-1, Misfits Thurso the against

feet. the noise is deafening as 1000 lb of high high of lb 1000 as deafening is noise the feet. community see's the boys win their first match match first their win boys the see's community

a vertical plume explodes upward over 200 200 over upward explodes plume vertical a Diplomacy always the strong point of the Diving Diving the of point strong the always Diplomacy

surface and then out of the center of the dome dome the of center the of out then and surface part in the Games Tug-o-War contest. contest. Tug-o-War Games the in part

dome of water is uplifted 20 meters above the the above meters 20 uplifted is water of dome impressive crowd puller. Finally the troops take take troops the Finally puller. crowd impressive

the water at the first blob heaves into life, a huge huge a life, into heaves blob first the at water the grass. The RHIB gets lots of attention and is an an is and attention of lots gets RHIB The grass.

going is heard only a fraction of a second before before second a of fraction a only heard is going equipment searching for coins buried in the the in buried coins for searching equipment

The crack of the detonator and cordtex cordtex and detonator the of crack The the stand. The kids get to use the mine detector detector mine the use to get kids The stand. the

8,7.6,5,4,3,2,1 8,7.6,5,4,3,2,1

up and numerous children Mum's and Dad's visit visit Dad's and Mum's children numerous and up

round of drinks in the bar. 10.9, 10.9, bar. the in drinks of round

expect some serious grief, and to have to buy a a buy to have to and grief, serious some expect

diver that cuts a miss timed bit of safety fuze can can fuze safety of bit timed miss a cuts that diver

to go. Getting the timing right is crucial and the the and crucial is right timing the Getting go. to

RHIB and stop watches are checked — 3 minutes minutes 3 — checked are watches stop and RHIB

point the Island. The MIB comes alongside the the alongside comes MIB The Island. the point

the pace. At 300m the boats turn around and and around turn boats the 300m At pace. the

big smiles on their faces as the engines pick up up pick engines the as faces their on smiles big

safety fuze is thick in the air and the divers have have divers the and air the in thick is fuze safety

to transit to safe distance the smell of burning burning of smell the distance safe to transit to

and boats retire slowly away. As they turn away away turn they As away. slowly retire boats and

The bubble wrap blobs are placed in the water water the in placed are blobs wrap bubble The

FUZE BURNING ! the stop watch is started. started. is watch stop the ! BURNING FUZE

deting) to reduce the probability of misfire. misfire. of probability the reduce to deting)

with 2 pieces of fuze and 2 detonators (double (double detonators 2 and fuze of pieces 2 with

to initiate the safety fuze. Each blob is fitted fitted is blob Each fuze. safety the initiate to

OMAGH PO (D) Jim Slade directs the divers divers the directs Slade Jim (D) PO OMAGH

remain clear of the area. With and all clear from from clear all and With area. the of clear remain

message is repeated on VHF to warn mariners to to mariners warn to VHF on repeated is message

both visually and by radar and a VHF Security Security VHF a and radar by and visually both

in place. The range is checked by OMAGH OMAGH by checked is range The place. in

cord and detonators with safety fuze are taped taped are fuze safety with detonators and cord www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk

THE MINEWARFARE & CLEARANCE DIVING OFFICERS' ASSOCIATION

by Rob Hoole

The Royal Naval Mine Warfare & Clearance Diving Officers' Association (MCDOA) is open to all serving and retired RN qualified MCDOs and MWOs and officers from other navies who have completed courses in the UK. The Association was founded 12 years ago and now has over 260 members, including 113 serving officers, each of whom pays a £10 annual subscription by Standing Order.

Aim of the MCDOA The aim of the MCDOA is to perpetuate the "Esprit de Corps" of Royal Naval Mine Warfare and Clearance Diving Officers by the regular exchange of information and meetings on both a social and formal basis to their mutual benefit. A Newsletter called '5 Bells' is published to keep members up to date with MCD news and a website and fast-reaction e-mail link serve the same purpose for more urgent items.

Activities Annual MCDOA activities include: • A Northern Dinner held at Faslane in the New Year. • A Ladies Night held at Portsmouth in the Spring. • An operational update followed by the AGM at Horsea Island in November. • The Annual Dinner at Whale Island the same day in November as the AGM.

Association Officers The President of the Association is Captain Chris Massie-Taylor RN although he will be standing down at the next AGM when a new President will be selected. The Committee for 2002/2003 comprises: Chairman: Cdr Simon Nicholson RN Vice Chairman: Lt Cdr Rob Hoole MBA RN (Rtd) Secretary: Lt Cdr David 'Topsy' Turner RN Treasurer: Lt Cdr Graham 'Tug' Wilson MBE RN Committee I: Cdr David Edwards RN (Rtd) Committee 2: Cdr Mike Kooner MBE RN (Rtd) Committee 3: Cdr Frank Ward RN Committee 4: Lt Cdr Martyn Holloway RN (Rtd)

Applying for Membership The Association has its own website at www. mcdoa.org.uk where full details can be found about Application for Membership as well as News, Funnies, Photo Galleries containing pictures of past courses and social activities, a Discussion Forum, and much more. Alternatively, application forms can be obtained from Lt Cdr David (Topsy) Turner, the Honorary Secretary, via:

Lt Cdr D Turner RN Honorary Secretary MCDOA FOST Faslane (MPV) Sea Training Building HMNB Clyde HELENSBURGH Dumbartonshire G84 8HL Tel: 01436 674321 Ext 4459

44 www.mcdoa.org.uk Alartv www.mcdoa.org.uk

WHO SAID SIZE DOESN'T MATTER?

WSTD Tinsley HMS RAMSEY

I am sitting at the wheel during defence RFA! (well, that would be how my mum would watches on the Ramsey. " check fix" I hear the see it anyway!) At the other end of the spectrum. 00W say. At the same time I decide to check my during OP TELIC I did manage to do a fair bit of branch badge. still a steward!! stewarding. amongst many other things. I have been in the navy for almost six years. most The visit of the prime-minister in UMM QASR of which I have spent on big ships and in retinue. took a lot of preparation (scrubbing out!) Imagine my horror when I saw my draft order. although it was a short visit, my main concern My hand-over consisted of "This is the was would he remember me from when I worked wardroom, the pantry and this is your mess". It for him at chequers? (apparently so!!) didn't seem so different, just a lot smaller. "I can To lighten the situation somewhat, the handle this." I say to myself. Everything was following day, we had a visit from Jim Davidson. going fine until we went into defence watches! He was making a documentary of his work with "What do you mean I drive the ship? I'm a the Forces. Only a selected group of us had the steward!" "I do specials on the bridge, vehicle chance to see him and I was one of them... I runs and part of ship? And you say this ship is was also the only female! (Ha ha. thinks Jim, my plastic? Were all gonna die!" I said. first target!) Once he had finished asking me if I Months into it, I get on with my job was named after 'Kerry Butter' because I spread (whatever that may be) as best as I can. It's easy! I pointed out in the nicest possible matelot better to have a change now and then, than to way. that I was a lone female, at which point, he do the same thing day in day out. Whenever took hold of me and my camera and proceeded to I find myself in an unfamiliar position. I turn take the Mickey out of the rest of the guys. it all into a joke. I often say to myself "If my A lot of long hours and hard work go on in mum could see me now!" The only time I can the Navy, but especially on Mine Warfare ships remember thinking this on a big ship was during on a deployment. Only when the deployment a RAS. Picture me on the FX of a 42 destroyer, is over, can you look back and say, "I actually in rough seas wearing a multiflab suit, holding enjoyed that!" It's always the good times you onto a distance line, playing tug of war with an remember. (By Ed too true!)

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CAPTION COMPETITION

Poor Tommo, he hadn't noticed the WO Lobster behind him.... all that was left was his DPM jacket!

Any other suggestions to the Ed.

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