www.mcdoa.org.uk
MINEWARFARE AND DIVING
VOLUME 1 NUMBER 3 1 SEPTEMBER 1990
Portsmouth - Home to the "Hampshire" Hunts - Page 14
•C'N Official Use Only G www.mcdoa.org.uk <
Front Crover Once again Porthnouth proWdes the backdrop for the famous Hampshire Rose as
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VOLUME 1 NUMBER 3 1 SEPTEMBER 1990
CONTENTS EDITORIAL STAFF
Foreword by CINCFLEET 1 Sponsor: Cdr. A. Rose Publisher: Cdr. T. Hildesley Managing Editor: Lt. Cdr. D. Carey Editorial 2 MW Editors: Lt. A. Silva and WO(MW) J. Turnbull Diving Editors: Lt. P. Harrison and WO(D) J. Green Canadian MCM 3 Assistant Editor: PO(MW) D. Jordan Overseas Editor: Lt. P. Davey 5 Diving Reporter: AB(D) S. Maddison Diving Round Up MW Reporter: PO(MW) W. Vassie Typesetter: WTR S. Johnson Diving Safety 6 Editorial Offices: MDDS Faculty of SMOPS HMS NELSON (GUNWHARF) Portsmouth. Hampshire Minewarfare Reporter 8 P01 3HH Telephone: 0705-822351 Ext: 24826 Scorpio - ROV Review 10
Diving Equipment Review 12 MINEWARFARE AND DIVING is published New Hampshire HUNT Base 14 twice-annually by the MDDS Faculty of SMOPS on behalf of the Director of Naval Warfare, Army Diving Reports 18 Ministry of Defence. RMAS Diving 17 Service units requesting copies of the Magazine Medway Clearance Feature 22 should forward their applications to the Director of Naval Warfare, C/O The Editorial Offices, address 24 Diving - Historical as above. Contributions of Minewarfare or Diving Letters To The Editor 26 interest and correspondence are invited and should be addressed to the same location. Minewarfare and Diving Training 29 This Magazine is issued by the United Kingdom 30 Recognition - ROVs Ministry of Defence for Official Use Only. The Diving Dits 32 contents are not to be released to the public and are not to be discussed with the Press or anyone Sweep Store 35 outside the Military Services without the specific authority of the Directorate of Naval Warfare, 36 Reader's Response Page United Kingdom Ministry of Defence. Challenge And Reply 37 © Crown Copyright www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk
Foreword
By Admiral Sir Benjamin Bathurst, KCB COMMANDER - IN - CHIEF FLEET
In the past six months Minewarfare and Diving has been subject to my close attention, both as CINCFLEET and, in my NATO capacity, as CINCHAN. In February, I visited several HUNT Class MCMVs in Rosyth and I witnessed the inauguration of the new NATO MCMV Opertaional Sea Training (MOST) facility in Ostend. In March, the Superintendent of Diving gave me a full brief on DSSCCD and its present problems. In May I attended the handover of COMSTANAVFORCHAN from the Netherlands to the German Navy (with HMS HURWORTH presently representing the RN in that force). In July I inspected the Fleet Diving Group and the Diving Section of the MDDS Faculty of SMOPS. In Diving, as in all aspects of our work, safety is critical but the unforgiving nature of the underwater environment adds an extra dimension. My visits have assured me that standards are being maintained at the highest level. Despite shortages of crucial stores, frustrations due to the temporary bar on certain commitments and the uncertainty of the changing political climate, the morale of personnel remains high. My message to those involved in Minewarfare and Diving is simple: you work in specialist fields, in a potentially dangerous environment. Whatever outside pressures you may be working under, do not compromise your standards and DO PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO YOUR SAFETY.
www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk MINEWARFARE AND DIVING EDITORIAL
Frustration and disappointment are two sentiments closely to the winners for this edition as detailed below. To those who have associated with this edition (Volume 1Number 3) of "Minewarfare written asking for a column on a particular subject, such as the several And Diving" Magazine. The frustration is that felt by the Editorial bidding fora regular "Ship's Diving Team" slot, the reply is: "Delighted!". Staff due to various restrictions imposed during the past six The total input for this edition alone is twice what we had for Vol 1 No months and the disappointment is caused by the subsequent 1 and we are already pagesetting the main feature articles of the next publication delay of 4 months: our apologies to all our readers for edition, so please keep it coming chaps! that, but we hope the final product still meets with your approval. Apart from the loss of so many editorial staff, without relief, and the We set our target publication dates of 1 January, 1 May and 1 increased workloads imposed on others, the magazine itself has September so as to match the MDDS Faculty term dates and associated altered little in style. You will no doubt notice the absence of coloured staff workloads. These dates also allowed time for printing and highlights running through the magazine. This is a MoD-wide printing distribution to take place during leave periods, thereby matching the penalty imposed as a short-term savings measure. CS (Rep) S have involvement of the respective Editorial staff throughout the training been more than supportive to date but, without your written support, year. The decision to produce 3 editions per annum was a bold one, as the reintroduction of such highlights in any future edition will be very we had no firm idea what the response would be, let alone what the hard to justify, in this or any other such periodical. readership contributions to future editions would provide. Safety, in Minewarfare and Diving operations and training, continues As it is, response and contributions have not been a problem - quite the to guide us in our selection of articles. The review of various events, reverse in fact, as most of the Letters To The Editor reveal. No, it was some of which have achieved national and international media coverage, the removal of billets that hit us hardest, for we have now lost our will continue - when we went to press, most of the Minewarfare and Assistant Editor, PO(MW) Dave Jordan of the RNR, ourTypesetters, Diving events in the Middle East, though very topical, were not Wtr Johnson and AB(MW) Waterton, our Diving Reporter, AB(D) publishable due to their inherent classification. We would hope that by Maddison, and, albeit on a temporary basis, our publisher Cdr Tim next summer, some "Safety Lessons Learned" may reflect operations Hildesley and Minewarfare Co-Editor Tony Silva. The first three that have occurred, so that non-involved readership may benefit. mentioned formed the team who convert the written word, as received by post, to the draft page ready for editorial "cut and paste" by the The scope of the magazine's distribution continues to expand: we are various Section Editors. It is a time-consuming task, even with a line now established reading in 207 RN,RNR, RM, RE and RMAS units and scanner, a PC with Desk Top Publishing software and a photocopier! in 17 international MW and Diving establishments. Our thanks go to We undertook to produce the "camera-ready copy" ourselves, so as to those units and authorities who have been able to reduce their required halve the production costs of the magazine. This we achieved with the quota, thereby allowing us to meet requests from other organisations second edition, having trained up the staff, but it may prove a bigger without increasing our publishing total of 3000 copies per edition. hurdle in months to come. We remain positive in attitude, but must wait and see how things further develop. For the next year at least though, Times are uncertain, finances are tight but the need to review our we shall, regrettably, have to drop to only two editions, in June and equipments and safety regulations is ever present. In this edition there December. is an emphasis on Underwater Engineering and Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV's). If there is a subject that you feel needs coverage, The literary prizes awarded by Jane's Information Group have certainly please use the pro-forma on Page 36. Indeed, why not put pen to supported our aim of "contribution by incentive rather than coercion", paper / PC to print and submit an article yourself? for the quality and volume of material has been staggeringly high: far higher than we ever anticipated. Our thanks go to those who have Finally, as we approach 1991 and begin the search for a New Year's already contributed (indeed, some of the Exchange Officers have Resolution to adopt, why not consider the maxim in CINCFLEETs almost achieved "Foreign Correspondent" status!) - and congratulations Foreword? - "DO PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO YOUR SAFETY"
• Commodore D C Hebron, The Commodore HMS NELSON, on behalf • CPO ID Paid Leader. representing PACDU, receives his prize from of Jane's Information Group, presents Captain Bill Dainty RE with a Commodore Hebron. One year's free subscription to Jane's Defence prize certificate forthe 1990/91 Jane's Infantry Weapons Yearbook for Weekly goes to PACDU for the best photographic contribution in this his Main Feature article on Army Diving Equipment (Page 12). edition ( Russell Tart's article on Medway Clearance - Page 21) 2 www.mcdoa.org.uk
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3 3
Continued overleaf overleaf Continued
The BAY Class have since been used for for used been since have Class BAY The are HMCS ANTICOSTI and HMCS HMCS and ANTICOSTI HMCS are
equipped and converted to patrol vessels. vessels. patrol to converted and equipped been purchased and commissioned. These These commissioned. and purchased been worn by any ratings. ratings. any by worn
two ex-offshore supply vessels have already already have vessels supply ex-offshore two MSCs (very similar to our TONS) were de-- were TONS) our to similar (very MSCs our own except that square rig is no longer longer no is rig square that except own our
before 1964 when the remaining 6 Bay Class Class Bay 6 remaining the when 1964 before In preparation for this ambitious programme, programme, ambitious this for preparation In The blue uniform is back and is very similar to to similar very is and back is uniform blue The
Canadian Navy has not done any MCM since since MCM any done not has Navy Canadian when all three service arms were combined. combined. were arms service three all when
Canadian MCM into the next century. century. next the into MCM Canadian involvement in minewarfare in WW2 the the WW2 in minewarfare in involvement uniform which was worn during the period period the during worn was which uniform
regular force to provide the leading edge in in edge leading the provide to force regular is an impressive history of Canada's Canada's of history impressive an is members are no longer seen in the green green the in seen longer no are members
minehunters. These will be operated by the the by operated be will These minehunters. Exciting stuff? Yes it really is. Although there there Although is. really it Yes stuff? Exciting part of the Canadian Forces (CF). CN CN (CF). Forces Canadian the of part
to be a number of sophisticated, single-role single-role sophisticated, of number a be to simply as the Canadian Navy (CN) which is is which (CN) Navy Canadian the as simply
The third level of the 3-tier concept is planned planned is concept 3-tier the of level third The by Reserve personnel. personnel. Reserve by 'Royal' some years ago and is now known known now is and ago years some 'Royal'
will provide 2 levels of operating expertise. expertise. operating of levels 2 provide will east coast. MANTA is crewed and operated operated and crewed is MANTA coast. east juncture that the Canadian Navy dropped the the dropped Navy Canadian the that juncture
training in a similar way to the MSA on the the on MSA the to way similar a in training and the short-notice STUFT/COOP vessels vessels STUFT/COOP short-notice the and By way of a background, background, a of way By I I should add at this this at add should
vessels at short notice. So, the 12 MCDVs MCDVs 12 the So, notice. short at vessels serve as the basis for MCM familiarisation familiarisation MCM for basis the as serve
would be able to crew STUFT and COOP COOP and STUFT crew to able be would Once accepted into service, this system will will system this service, into accepted Once and MCM. MCM. and
Canada's sovereignty, the trained personnel personnel trained the sovereignty, Canada's But in my initial contribution - Canada's Navy Navy Canada's - contribution initial my in But
operations so that if there is a threat to to threat a is there if that so operations naval auxiliary vessel. vessel. auxiliary naval full time with another nation's armed forces. forces. armed nation's another with time full
personnel as possible in all aspects of MCDV MCDV of aspects all in possible as personnel has been purchased and fitted into a small small a into fitted and purchased been has on exchange, a sniff of what life's like working working like life's what of sniff a exchange, on
capable, towed ROV system called MANTA MANTA called system ROV towed capable, The aim is to train as many Reserve Force Force Reserve many as train to is aim The who haven't had the privilege of serving abroad abroad serving of privilege the had haven't who
the west coast a training capability, a very very a capability, training a coast west the even visit)? I also want to give those of you you of those give to want also I visit)? even
Reserves. Reserves. attempt to rationalise this problem and to give give to and problem this rationalise to attempt that some of you may want to reciprocate (or (or reciprocate to want may you of some that
MSAtraining facilities 3000 miles away! In an an In away! miles 3000 facilities MSAtraining City where the formal training will be given to to given be will training formal the where City touch with the fraternity in the forlorn hope hope forlorn the in fraternity the with touch
west to avail themselves of the east coast coast east the of themselves avail to west There will also be a Fleet School in Quebec Quebec in School Fleet a be also will There the new mag - the main one being to keep in in keep to being one main the - mag new the
restrictions on the ability of reservists in the the in reservists of ability the on restrictions across the country and on the great lakes. lakes. great the on and country the across are many reasons for wanting to contribute to to contribute to wanting for reasons many are
east-west dimension. This places severe severe places This dimension. east-west well as numerous Reserve Training Centres Centres Training Reserve numerous as well Anyway, that's the end of the adverts. There There adverts. the of end the that's Anyway,
Canada is a vast country, particularly in its its in particularly country, vast a is Canada established on both east and west coasts as as coasts west and east both on established
geographical knowledge will realise that that realise will knowledge geographical Reserve. Reserve. Sea training centres will be be will centres training Sea and Ottawa. Ottawa. and
Those readers who have a smattering of of smattering a have who readers Those these vessels will be vested in the Naval Naval the in vested be will vessels these of other MCDs going to Charleston, Sydney Sydney Charleston, to going MCDs other of
Thetask of organizing, crewing and operating operating and crewing organizing, of Thetask should soon be considerably increased odds odds increased considerably be soon should
early 91. 91. early mechanical minesweeping and minehunting. minehunting. and minesweeping mechanical out of the running for any more so there there so more any for running the of out
Minesweeper Auxiliaries (MSAs) in late 90/ 90/ late in (MSAs) Auxiliaries Minesweeper MCM employment are route survey, survey, route are employment MCM Grab the chance while you can. I think we're we're think I can. you while chance the Grab
and will undergo their conversion to proper proper to conversion their undergo will and After Coastal Defence the priorities for their their for priorities the Defence Coastal After took these opportunities to travel abroad. abroad. travel to opportunities these took
continue to be based at Halifax, Nova Scotia Scotia Nova Halifax, at based be to continue complemented to carry a mixed gender crew. crew. gender mixed a carry to complemented I can say that, so far, far, so that, say can I I I hold no regrets that we we that regrets no hold
crews in route survey. These 2 ships will will ships 2 These survey. route in crews vessels, they will designed for and and for designed will they vessels, aimed at a point between my shoulder blades blades shoulder my between point a at aimed
side-scan sonar suite to train their Reserve Reserve their train to suite sonar side-scan 1993 and, as with all other Canadian Reserve Reserve Canadian other all with as and, 1993 posting to foreign parts. Despite the assegais assegais the Despite parts. foreign to posting
UK's RNR River Class MSF's, and a towed towed a and MSF's, Class River RNR UK's The first hull is due to be launched in mid- in launched be to due is hull first The currently the victim of their third exchange exchange third their of victim the currently
(WSME), in the same configuration as the the as configuration same the in (WSME), older in looks Simon Nicholson and family) is is family) and Nicholson Simon looks in older
and Wire Sweep Measuring Equipment Equipment Measuring Sweep Wire and capability. capability. to be confused with the younger in years but but years in younger the with confused be to
Wire Sweep Mk9 (Deep Armed Team Sweep) Sweep) Team Armed (Deep Mk9 Sweep Wire role but will also be fitted with a credible MCM MCM credible a with fitted be also will but role all) may recall that the Nicholson family (not (not family Nicholson the that recall may all)
MORESBY. The ships will be equipped with with equipped be will ships The MORESBY. carry out Coastal Defence as their primary primary their as Defence Coastal out carry Those of you with good memories (I hate you you hate (I memories good with you of Those
(MCDVs). These will be equipped largely to to largely equipped be will These (MCDVs).
provide 12 Maritime Coastal Defence Vessels Vessels Defence Coastal Maritime 12 provide equivalent publication out here. here. out publication equivalent
(NRMP). Amongst other facilities this will will this facilities other Amongst (NRMP). - we may see, in the fullness of time, an an time, of fullness the in see, may we -
Naval Reserve Minecountermeasures Project Project Minecountermeasures Reserve Naval are also very impressed with it. Who knows knows Who it. with impressed very also are
next century. The cornerstone of this is the the is this of cornerstone The century. next Mag. I should also report that the Canadians Canadians the that report also should I Mag.
programme which will stretch well into the the into well stretch will which programme the team's efforts in producing the New Look Look New the producing in efforts team's the
Canada has embarked upon an ambitious ambitious an upon embarked has Canada I must first say just how impressed I am with with am I impressed how just say first must I
and what does Canada do? do? Canada does what and how could I refuse? refuse? I could how
to these observations a realistic mine threat threat mine realistic a observations these to contribute at last year's MCD Conference, Conference, MCD year's last at contribute
facing the Canadian Navy in the 1990s. Add Add 1990s. the in Navy Canadian the facing threw out such a succinct invitation to to invitation succinct a such out threw
public eye - these are some of the difficulties difficulties the of some are these - eye public opening comments. Also, Dave Carey Carey Dave Also, comments. opening
public and a relatively low visibility in the the in visibility low relatively a and public request for an article from Canada in the the in Canada from article an for request
waterways, a comparatively small taxpaying taxpaying small comparatively a waterways, prototype MAD Magazine where I read the the read I where Magazine MAD prototype
second largest country, vast inland inland vast country, largest second was given some extra motivation from the the from motivation extra some given was
of miles of coastline on 3 sides of the World's World's the of sides 3 on coastline of miles of I communicated with 'The Old Country'. I I Country'. Old 'The with communicated I
Defence as Canada. Mix together thousands thousands together Mix Canada. as Defence July last year, I thought it was about time time about was it thought I year, last July
nations with such a mammoth task of Coastal Coastal of task mammoth a such with nations Research Establishment in Southwell, in in Southwell, in Establishment Research
equipment is hard to come by. There are few few are There by. come to hard is equipment Having been over here since I left Admiralty Admiralty left I since here over been Having
the money to procure new ships and and ships new procure to money the
As with the defence forces of most countries, countries, most of forces defence the with As LMCDO 69), 69), LMCDO
The General Situation Situation General The Gentlemen (and remaining members of of members remaining (and Gentlemen by "Dan" Nicholson Nicholson "Dan" by
CANADIAN MCM MCM CANADIAN www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk
Continued from previous page
Junior Officers' Navigational training on the current fully equipped MCMVs and in the Fortunately, it has not been all work and no West Coast and, like the TONs, are old and regular navy there are very few officers or play and I have managed to travel quite getting very tired. ratings with MW training. extensively. In addition, the local ski facilities (15 mins from the back door of work) have The Present The reserve forces have a smattering of taken a fairly severe hammering from the Two civilian contractors are presently specialist knowledge gained either in UK, flailing limbs of this 45 year old novice on preparing their competitive submissions in with MCM10, or from courses. Also, Canada planks! (Eddy the eagle has nothing on me). response to the specification they were given has the great fortune not to be constrained in Now the snows have departed, the rivers and last year. Submissions will be assessed its MCM conceptual thinking by any previous lakes unfrozen and their waters quiver with during August and, in early 1991, a contract doctrine or design. From this position - the anticipation for my cedar strip canoe and will be issued. The winner will become the only way is up! fishing techniques. prime Contractor and be responsible for the design and build of the 12 vessels over the Some retired or retiring elder brethren of the But more about the extra-mural activities in following 5 years (1993-98) and all the other RN MW community might see this as the the next instalment. Suffice it to say that the aspects of the contract. opportunity to re-invest their deep MW family and I are very much enjoying Canada, knowledge, but I must state quite emphatically and in particular, Ottawa. I hope to be able to give you all a more that neither the Canadians nor I have any complete update at the MCD conference intention of 'poaching' anyone else's valuable If this article gets the space it undoubtedly later this year. In a parallel activity, plans are pool of expertise. Having thus cleared my deserves, my thanks to the editorial staff for being made for new Reserve bases and, yardarm, if anyone has any such intentions I correcting the smelling pistakes and for included in the NRMP, are other smaller side advise you to first have a long talk (preferably squeezing it in between all the other worthy issues, like exercise mines and replacement in French!) to CPO(MW) Jumper Collins of efforts. diving gear for the port diving teams MCM10 Staff. I wish you all he best of luck in all your So, that's the Canadian way ahead for MCM. The Job endeavours - particularly the equipment It is particularly exciting to be here on exchange After a faultless turnover from my good friend procurement program and the future of our duty at this time and I am privileged to be Lt Cdr Marlyn Holloway this has been a very 'discreet' branch. From a fairly well travelled working in the Requirements Directorate busy and hard working period with a fairly point of view I can tell you that the MCM where much of the future planning for naval steep learning curve. Those ex - MOD(UK) expertise of the RN is held in very high ship equipment is carried out. warriors will understand the frustrations of esteem by virtually all other nations' defence the bureaucracy, but add to that 2 more forces. Never forget - the eyes of the world I cannot understate how brave and ambitious languages ('French' and 'Canajun, Eh!') and are upon you! End of sermon. this programme is. Canada has not done any a complete new set of acronyms. I was briefed MCM for more than 25 years. There are no to say "It's fun" and it is. Bonne Chance!
In August 1959Itook command of the Inshore in Singapore and did not expect to hear As a follow-on article to a "Letter From Flotilla which then consisted of HMS anything further about Big-Chief-Shot-on- Canada", what could be more apposite Woodbridge Haven and the 104th and 108th Both-Sides. I was wrong. In 1963 I happened than one referring to the Calgary- squadrons of CMS, based on Sliema Creek. to be on a course which included a visit to based Blackfoot tribe? The 104th's funnel badge was the 'Blackfoot' Calgary and felt I had to call on and pay my The response to the enquiry by Dixie as shown in your illustration. My predecessor, respects to my former pen pal, Big-Chief. To Dean (Vol 1 No 2) as to the origins of Captain "Fish" Dalglish, told me that it had my surprise the local authorities blankly MCM 4's "Blackfoot" crest has been indeed originated from the sooty footmarks refused to allow me to do so. They had just overwhelming. In retrospect, we carried all over the ship after people had had a blazing row with the Blackfoot over the should have run his letter as a "Big walked in the grimy black deposit from the letters' apparently excessive charges for Badge Challenge"! main diesel engine exhausts. Precisely who staging the usual genuine Red Indian village Printed below is one of the many suggested the badge and when I do not sideshow for that year's Calgary Stampede. replies: more can be found on page 34. know. For the first time ever the Blackfoot were sent Each one chosen for publication was I do know that in the wake of the adoption of packing and took to the hills where they selected on its own historical and/or the Blackfoot badge fraternal greetings were staged a rain dance. From their point of view humourous merit. exchanged with the Calgary-based Blackfoot this was highly successful as, again for the The question, we believe, has been tribe of Canadian Red Indians. In fact I first time ever, the Stampede was washed out fully answered - that is , unless you inherited a sizeable pack of correspondence by a torrential downpour and it would have know better or unless MCM4 Staff between Captain I.F. and 'Big-Chief-Shot- been far cheaper for the organisers to have would wish for more details? on-both-sides'and continued happily to paid the Blackfoot what they asked for in the exchange learned memoranda on first place. So I never connected personally minesweeping techniques forthe latest family with Big-Chief. He died several years ago news 'from my teepee'. (By an extraordinary and was succeeded by his son, 'Little-Chief- Dear Editor, coincidence I later found that a distant cousin Shot-on-Both-Sides'. ORIGINS OF THE BLACKFOOT of mine was the only known speaker of the Yours sincerely "Dixie"Dean's letter on this subject, Blackfoot dialect in the UK.) Admiral Sir Anthony Griffin GCB prompts me to try, at least partially, to In September 1960 I handed over the Inshore Moat Cottage answer his question and to let you know Flotilla, then consisting of 'Woo Ha' and the Bosham about some subsequent developments. 104th CMS Squadron, to Captain Davenport West Sussex 4 www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk
USN Underwater Ship Husbandry by Chris Sherman
In February 1989 I arrived in Washington It is hoped that the introduction of formal DC to become the first RN Exchange UWSH training at this level will increase the Officer to serve with the Naval Sea capabilities of Navy diving teams, and allow Systems Command (Code OOC), usually them to do more and more work in this field. referred to as NAVSEA (OOC). This Ultimately, when funding permits, an organisation has about 55 military and advanced ship husbandry qualification will civilian staff, and is headed by a Captain be introduced, with specialist training. USN, who is Supervisor of Salvage & Selected divers are already being qualified Diving, and Director of Ocean as underwater welders, and NDT training is Engineering. I work in the Underwater being formulated. All of these skills are Ship Husbandry (UWSH) Division, and available in the offshore oil industry, and it is the aim of this article is to give a brief simply a matter of adapting them to Navy overview of the US Navy's achievements • USN diver, wearing Mk12 requirements. in this field. surface supply rig, cutting with There is a growing awareness within the non- diving world of the potential for underwater What exactly is Underwater Ship Husbandry? Oxy-Arc in a training tank. repairs. The successful waterborne propeller The US Navy defines it as:- "The inspection, change following the grounding of USS grooming, maintenance, and permanent repairs, shaft bearing inspection, and a number ENTERPRISE in 1983 marked a significant repair of Navy hulls and hull appendages of other tasks (see Buck Taylor's article in milestone in the credibility of such work. while those hulls are waterborne." Vol1 No2). The ultimate aim of the UWSH Subsequent successes by Navy and The key word here is permanent.. While programme is for all underwater husbandry, commercial divers, coupled with persistent divers have been carrying out underwater with the exception of hull cleaning, to be staffwork by NAVSEA (OOC) personnel, have repairs for many years, these have usually conducted by Navy divers. gained recognition and funding for the future. been of a temporary nature, requiring 1990 has seen an important step in that reworking in drydock. Permanent underwater direction. This year, diving training courses repairs are equivalent to those completed in for Second and First Class Divers are being drydock, and involve the same degree of revised to include formal UWSH training. quality assurance (QA). NAVSEA is actively involved in this process, The UWSH programme has been in and has been tasked to provide underwater existence for about 12 years, and has grown training aids. Future US Navy divers will rapidly in size and scope. The main objectives receive theoretical and practical training in the of the programme include extended use of underwater tools, rigging, video drydocking intervals (5 - 7 years), improved inspections and basic repair techniques. Less fleet readiness, and reduced maintenance time in the water will be spent "blowing costs. NAVSEA (OOC) is responsible for bubbles", and more time completing practical the development of procedures and projects. Underwater tasks will include • USS ENTERPRISE waterborne equipment for an ever-expanding range of removal/replacement of a propeller boss nut, propeller change 1983 Underwater repairs. Strict quality assurance cofferdam installation, and the replacement is an integral part of this programme. and pressure testing of a flange seal. The UWSH Division is working to influence A number of smaller projects will give the UWSH is a growth industry. By developing future ship designs to facilitate diver divers experience in using tools underwater. procedures, acquiring tools, and training maintenance, and also has some input into These will be carried out in a training tank to divers to use them, the US Navy is saving the training of Navy divers. This is of particular enable instructor observation. Larger projects millions of dollars in ship maintenance costs. importance. In many areas, new technology will be completed by teams of trainee divers in In 1989, NAVSEA staff or contractors assisted has left the Navy diving community behind, open water. Throughout this training, great in 25 major repairs, saving an estimated $10 and as a result, many underwater tasks are emphasis will be placed upon the importance million in docking costs. In addition to saving carried out under contract by commercial of quality assurance. Divers the world over money in peacetime, the Navy is also divers. This includes hull cleaning, ultrasonic are renowned for their resourcefulness and improving its ability to repair damage hull thickness measurement, sea chest "can do" attitude. However, while tie-wraps sustained in battle. In today's harsh economic installation, masker air belt repair/ and masking tape might be OK in an environment, the US Navy's diving community replacement, and underwater welding. Navy emergency, a permanent repair requires a is both expanding its capabilities and justifying diving teams still do a lot of UWSH work, more scientific approach. The end result its existence from a financial viewpoint. including propeller changes, submarine should be a more technically competent diver Shouldn't the Royal Navy's Diving Branch sonar transducer changes, sonar dome and underwater worker. be doing the same? 14.
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"A COMEDY OF ERRORS"?
by Charlie Wilson
The following cautionary tale is based Imagine his surprise when he saw the object on a live incident that happened in in question, now comfortably chocked against 1989. It has been reconstructed using the gunwales with a smashed fish-box; the recently released documentary last time he had seen a World War Two evidence, extensive interviews with German GD mine was outside the museum those concerned and a liberal amount at DEODS - the Bomb Disposal School in of Laphroaig. Kent. A quick look round revealed that he was not alone in his interest however, because the Arran ferry was just pulling in and all the people queuing to embark were watching him closely.
The pale sun broke though the clouds hugging Having made a few 'phone calls while the the Mull of Kintyre just as the first catch of the jetty was being cleared, the EOD Team day was coming onboard. Nestling among embarked and set off in the fishing boat for the silver of the fish was a large, dark object some quiet waters. (Although they had which caused something like the following brought a Gemini with them, it was too rough conversation between the Master and his to use it and so they decided to do the job from deck-hand. the fishing boat.)
"Warra fu' za', Tam?" In the shelter of Great Cumbrae the charges "Goodness gracious me! were attached and, with the help of the crew, We appear to have sprung a leak "Ah dinna ken." the mine was lowered over the side. The Master having been briefed, the fuse was lit in the engine room I" "Aheugh aheigh arubut a fuggin mine an a' and they retired to a safe distance. mon. Aheugh aheigh ah call the Faslane They were rescued by a lifeboat and the only Divers. Areet pul'?" Nothing happened. injury sustained was a bang on the knee by one of the fishermen. "Nae bother." How do you pass the time in a fishing boat in the Clyde without an interpreter? The dust settled, the Board of Inquiry sat, And so the fishermen called the coastguard, blood was let, wrists were slapped and, at the who contacted the EOD Reporting Centre at After waiting 10 minutes, a second initiation time of writing (some 12 months later), the Didcot, who called the Faslane Team. The was attempted. This time 2 fuses were lit and settlement of the fisherman's claim is still Team were heavily loaded at the time (as the fishing boat reversed, swung round and rattling around the legal pipe-work in London. were SNICDU) but, since the object had headed away at best speed. been recovered inboard, no diving would be What is more important is that there are required and so an EOD Operator plus one She had only gone 150 yards when the mine exploded. lessons to be learnt from this incident, the were despatched. scenario of which could happen to any one of us tomorrow. They are: The EOD Operator had taken a description The Master issued a shortened version of the statement, "Goodness gracious me, we of the object over the 'phone, decided that it ASSUME THE WORST sounded like a practice mine and said that he appear to have sprung a leak in the engine room!" and sent a MAYDAY before beaching Don't be suckered in to trying to identify would meet the fishing boat at Largs. When ordnance on a second/third/fourth-hand he arrived, the boat was waiting alongside his craft on Great Cumbrae. description. We have to react to these but for him.
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7 7
charge demand a very healthy respect for these weapons. weapons. these for respect healthy very a demand charge
the size and sensitivity of the often deteriorated explosive explosive deteriorated often the of sensitivity and size the
despite having totally dead batteries after 50 years submerged, submerged, years 50 after batteries dead totally having despite
PRIMER RELEASE RELEASE PRIMER
dropped around UK waters. Of robust construction, and and construction, robust Of waters. UK around dropped
year on average, giving some idea of the number of mines mines of number the of idea some giving average, on year
still disposed of by Clearance Diving Units at the rate of 12 per per 12 of rate the at Units Diving Clearance by of disposed still
OPERATING CLOCK CLOCK OPERATING
Liverpool Bay, by Lt J E M Glenny RN. Mines of this series are are series this of Mines RN. Glenny M E J Lt by Bay, Liverpool HYDROSTATIC VALVE VALVE HYDROSTATIC
LIFTING LUG LUG LIFTING The first GD was recovered in July 1940 on the mudflats of of mudflats the on 1940 July in recovered was GD first The
blast-effect bombs during the Blitz. Blitz. the during bombs blast-effect
used as a depth-charge. The Luftwaffe used hundreds as as hundreds used Luftwaffe The depth-charge. a as used
BOMB FUSE FUSE BOMB
assemblies, the mine could also be actuated on time delay or or delay time on actuated be also could mine the assemblies,
Fitted with magnetic, acoustic, or combination influence influence combination or acoustic, magnetic, with Fitted
weight of 11731b (532kg). (532kg). 11731b of weight
paper and contains 6761b (306kg) of Hexanite, giving a total total a giving Hexanite, of (306kg) 6761b contains and paper
case is made from aluminium alloy or plasticised pressed pressed plasticised or alloy aluminium from made is case REAR ENO CAP CAP ENO REAR
WIRE FOR RELEASING RELEASING FOR WIRE
this mine is shorter than its forerunner, the GC, by 36in. The The 36in. by GC, the forerunner, its than shorter is mine this
which parted from the mine on being released from the aircraft, aircraft, the from released being on mine the from parted which
and 68 in (1.73m) in length. Excluding the neat tail-end cap, cap, tail-end neat the Excluding length. in (1.73m) in 68 and
hemispherical nose, this weapon is 26 in (0.66m) in diameter diameter in (0.66m) in 26 is weapon this nose, hemispherical
Coloured black or green, cylindrical in shape with a blunt blunt a with shape in cylindrical green, or black Coloured • •
• •
/ / successful 'G' series of Second World War German mines. mines. German War World Second of series 'G' successful • •
• • EQUALLY SPACED SPACED EQUALLY
• •
G SPRING PLUNGERS PLUNGERS SPRING G Laid from aircraft by parachute, the GD Mine is the fourth in the the in fourth the is Mine GD the parachute, by aircraft from Laid
PARACHUTE HOUSING , - , , - , HOUSING PARACHUTE
REAR END CAP CAP END REAR The German GD Mine Mine GD German The
corners on safety. safety. on corners
" Nae bother" bother" Nae "
misfire of chemical initiation?...." initiation?...." chemical of misfire that our enthusiasm is not leading us to cut cut to us leading not is enthusiasm our that
"....How long should you wait after after wait you should long "....How retain the ability to step back and make sure sure make and back step to ability the retain " Areet pul?" pul?" Areet "
getting the job done. We must, however, however, must, We done. job the getting
We are all great ones for getting stuck in and and in stuck getting for ones great all are We native girls. girls. native
DON'T GET CARRIED AWAY AWAY CARRIED GET DON'T who was being manicured by 2 more more 2 by manicured being was who
from the cabin and grinned at the deck-hand, deck-hand, the at grinned and cabin the from
to assist. assist. to The Master emerged, stretching and yawning yawning and stretching emerged, Master The
countermining and do not use the fishermen fishermen the use not do and countermining
Do not use the fishing boat to conduct the the conduct to boat fishing the use not Do invested their compensation money well. well. money compensation their invested
been cooling since dawn. Our friends had had friends Our dawn. since cooling been
theCoastguard), and then buoy it. it. buoy then and theCoastguard), up the net, full of cans of McEwans that had had that McEwans of cans of full net, the up
shipping lanes or land (consult with with (consult land or lanes shipping mooring, as the scantily-clad native girl hauled hauled girl native scantily-clad the as mooring,
lower it into diveable depth, away from any any from away depth, diveable into it lower planking of the yacht snubbing gently at her her at gently snubbing yacht the of planking
compensation. If it is too rough, get him to to him get rough, too is it If compensation. The sun had been up for hours, baking the the baking hours, for up been had sun The
fishing is good, but the MoD pay pay MoD the but good, is fishing
This advice is liable to be unpopular if the the if unpopular be to liable is advice This word to our fishermen friends: friends: fishermen our to word
and for you go out to meet him by Gemini. Gemini. by him meet to out go you for and ordnance since WWII, before leaving the last last the leaving before WWII, since ordnance
The best option is usually for him to lay off off lay to him for usually is option best The tonnage of British shipping sunk by German German by sunk shipping British of tonnage
with the "Bismark Award" for the greatest greatest the for Award" "Bismark the with
the EOD wagon? wagon? EOD the All that remains is to present the EOD Operator Operator EOD the present to is remains that All
the Duty Diver's telephone? Is there one in in one there Is telephone? Diver's Duty the
Do you have a copy of the relevant N to M by by M to N relevant the of copy a have you Do ours. ours.
living in this slightly dodgy specialisation of of specialisation dodgy slightly this in living
too. If not, use the Coastguard). Coastguard). the use not, If too. and so help preserve those who make their their make who those preserve help so and
what to do. (He has probably got a cell-phone cell-phone a got probably has (He do. to what could it wait? wait? it could could help all of us learn from mistakes made made mistakes from learn us of all help could
However, you should be ready to tell him him tell to ready be should you However, Gemini is it too rough to do the job? Again, Again, job? the do to rough too it is Gemini stories out there, waiting to be told, which which told, be to waiting there, out stories
properly? If the weather is too rough to use a a use to rough too is weather the If properly? was hurt in this incident. There must be other other be must There incident. this in hurt was
on trawling ordnance. ordnance. trawling on buoy) until you have the resources to tackle it it tackle to resources the have you until buoy) We can afford to be light-hearted as no one one no as light-hearted be to afford can We
Notice to Mariners is very clear on what to do do to what on clear very is Mariners to Notice somewhere safe (ie back in the water with a a with water the in back (ie safe somewhere
bring the mine into harbour: Admiralty Annual Annual Admiralty harbour: into mine the bring threatening? Could the ordnance be put put be ordnance the Could threatening? minimum of 5 minutes. minutes. 5 of minimum
The fisherman should have known not to to not known have should fisherman The Is the EOD task that urgent? Is it life- it Is urgent? that task EOD the Is lengths. (This was done on this job.) Allow a a Allow job.) this on done was (This lengths.
MINIMISE THE RISK RISK THE MINIMISE sums for burning time and watch you cut the the cut you watch and time burning for sums
fishermen to help. help. to fishermen Get your Number 2 to double check your your check double to 2 Number your Get
that it is being treated as live. live. as treated being is it that finished. Then you won't be tempted to borrow borrow to tempted be won't you Then finished. CHECK YOUR FUSE LENGTHS LENGTHS FUSE YOUR CHECK
practice. Until this has been done, make sure sure make done, been has this Until practice. tasks or wait until more important tasks are are tasks important more until wait or tasks
cell-phone and convinced ourselves that it is is it that ourselves convinced and cell-phone on. If necessary, pull people off less important important less off people pull necessary, If on. chemical initiation? initiation? chemical
AEODPs, telephoned EODTIC on our new new our on EODTIC telephoned AEODPs, task against all the other things that are going going are that things other the all against task How long should you wait after misfire of of misfire after wait you should long How
have seen it, measured it, gone through through gone it, measured it, seen have properly then assess the priority of the EOD EOD the of priority the assess then properly When would you use double initiation? initiation? double use you would When
must assume it is live and dangerous until we we until dangerous and live is it assume must If you do not have the people to do the job job the do to people the have not do you If KNOW YOUR BASIC DRILLS DRILLS BASIC YOUR KNOW www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk
Minewarfare Reporter FLOM 7/90 All Divers in COMMW's organisation should by now be aware of FLOM 7/90 El MRMH? dated 8 Nov 90: It covers the reintroduction of Mixture diving in the Vosper Thornycroft Ltd and the Spanish MCM flotilla. shipyard Empresa Nacional Bazan have If you're a Diver and you haven't seen signed an agreement for the construction of it yet, make sure you do soon. several MCMV's for the Spanish Navy. The PS: So Divers do read this page! Spanish yard is building a version of the Single Role Minehunter (SRMH) being built by VTL for the Royal Navy. The new vessels would be fitted with two PLUTO remotely operated vehicles manufactured by Intermarine of Italy. Polyolefin A first batch of four minehunters and four minesweepers will be built with the same design of GRP hull and Voith-Schneider Ropes propulsion. The first ship should be completed by 1993 and the first series is scheduled to be • Minewarfare Reporter operational by 1995, with a second series making a final total of 12 units. I would like to report on the polyolefin Wally Vassie ropes now carried onboard MCMV's: Since arriving on board as Bosun in the fact that, by attaching the line to the ship's January this year, I have had to structure and fittings, they were picking up all demand, sometimes without warning, the vibration from the ship so causing at least seven new berthing hawsers The Saga interference on the line. The net result? Not due to What would normally be a thing was heard. considered very minor damage escalating to critical point through Of The With that idea being a non-starter, we again further use. had to turn to the WEO, who, with a flash of brilliance (something for which he is not It would appear that the strain being normally known), came up with the idea of placed on these ropes during berthing Openline using the baby alarm normally run between and unberthing places undue strain the Jimmy's and Op's cabins. on any small nick or cut, so weakening the rope at the faster rate. During CHIDDINGFOLD's recent So, on to Plan "B". Lt Hill disappeared out of deployment and participation in Exercise the Ops Room at a great rate of knots and On speaking to my opposite number Open Gate '90, a terminal fault occurred came back a few minutes later with atwo-way onboard, I find that in the 9 to 12 on the Open Line between the Bridge and intercom-come-baby alarm which he had months prior to my arrival on board, a Ops Room. After much thinking and bought a couple of weeks earlier. further 10 polyolefin berthing hawsers scratching of the head by the WEO and his were abandoned through damage boy, the job of setting to work on a new It did not take long for the WEM(0) to run the whereas our two remaining system was undertaken by the Ops Officer connecting wire out of the Ops Room, up the polypropylene hawsers, which have (Lt Kim Godfrey) and the X0 (Lt Richard ladderto the Wardroom Flat and then onwards been on board for almost eighteen (Pusser) Hill). to the Bridge. Would the second attempt to months, are still serviceable. sort out our problem succeed? With all Within minutes the Gruesome Twosome had spectators watching with bated breath, the The wastage on these ropes must be come up with what they thought was a first- first transmissions were made. To everyones high, as I have talked to some of the rate idea, but would it work? - that was the amazement, not least Lt.s Hill and Godfreys', other senior rates on board other question. There was only one way to find out. the system actually worked! MCMV's as well as to the riggers in Try it. Rosyth and they all agree that there The new system has been in place for over a would appear to be a problem when A call was sent out to the galley and within week now without any sign of a fau It occurring. using polyolefin berthing hawsers. seconds the cry for help was answered. The It just goes to show what can achieved when Duty Chef came to the rescue with two empty you let a muppet and a bubblehead take over The one other major problem, apart baked bean tins. The Buffer also played his from a tiff and his boy. from the life span of the rope is the part in this attempt to rectify our shortcoming inability to surge or render around by supplying a length of gunline to run between At present we are alongside in Troia, Portugal, bollards or drum-ends - a thing that is the two tins. The knots were soon tied and it with a defective port main engine awaiting a needed when berthing and unberthing. was time to trial the new Openline System. replacement from the UK. While we are The fact that polyolefin tends to melt waiting, the Divers and MWs on board are when friction between rope and With the Bridge Watch Keeper primed and trying to devise a way of rectifying the defect dru mend is high does not fill me with ready, Kim Godfrey made the first epic using some short scope rubber, some cable confidence when coming alongside. transmission on the new gear. "Did it work?", ties and a copy of the 1968 edition of the Blue I hear you ask. What do you think? With the Peter Annual. I look forward to any comments from Gruesome Twosome on the job, it was staff or other users in the near future doomed before it even started. I will keep you all posted on the outcome it prior to rendering my S.2022 ! the near future. Our two budding scientists had overlooked
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Diving Drills Update
There are a couple of drills, with respect new Article 7405 will contain the prescribed to DSSCCA, which bear restating drill. before the next change to BR 2806 hits 3. Companion Diver Drill - Article 7414 the desk. has been updated in Change 3 to include other actions being taught to divers which 1. Divers arriving on the surface have are not currently written down, such as been observed, indicating they are well "Approaching from behind". with a low, limp thumbs-up; this is hardly noticeable to a supervisor. The Diving Manual is updated once a year. Keep safety in mind. Change 3, which is now being printed, The correct method is a straight arm, does include some major amendments. raised clear of the water clearly indicating Make a point of updating yourselves when the diver is well. In addition , raising the the Change becomes effective, especiallly arm prior to surfacing will also protect the the articles with black lines in the margin diver's head - BR 2806 Art 6423. which denotes a recent change has taken • Diving Reporter 2. As a result of an oversight there is no place. Surfacing Drill for DSSCCA. The only drill Simon Maddison which can be practised to take the diver A SAFE DIVER IS AN INFORMED DIVER off air is the "Emergency Ascent" drill. A SofD in date for minutes Prior to his departurefrom the appointment of Superintendent of Diving, Commander Jon Riches expressed a desire to dive in the Siebe Gorman standard diving equipment. To enable him to achieve this ambition the Royal Engineer Diving Establishment at HMS NELSON (Gunwharf), who train the Army's divers, took him under their wing and put him through his paces. Following a careful check of his diving log book and a full brief by the Army Diving Supervisor S/Sgt Gus Honebon and Civilian Instructional Officer Mr "Dusty" Miller- himself an ex-Navy Clearance Diver - Commander Riches carried out a buoyancy recovery task in the old VERNON Creek. His next appointment is with the Commodore Naval Ship Acceptance Department at MOD • Lt Col Roger Mundy RE (SofD Army) presents Cdr Jon Riches with a Bath, where he will have little opportunity to small memento to commemorate his dive. get wet.
Port Divers' Report by A C Main The argument on different sets and d. An unconscious diver still has a Semi-dry wet suits make economic sense contents gauges has long raged within mouthpiece to breathe air from an FFM. in view of their low cost and their good the Inspectorate but, in the f inal analysis, e.There is less chance or ingesting durability but UWSS would still be there are five main points we would contaminated water in an FFM. required for cold water work. consider most valid in favour of full face Having said this, in 75% of all diving If minimum cost were paramount, then masks (FFM) and upside down bottles. situations a good 60/70 cubic feet single LBJ would not be required above 24m. These are: civilian bottle with contents gauge and This revised outfit would thus give the a. To cater for conditions of total NIL back pack, incorporating a LBJ all-in-one, best of both worlds in terms of durability visibility when a contents gauge woud in conjunction with a "semi-dry" wet suit, and versatility and would be much more be unreadable. is probably the best combination to dive comfortable to dive in. Diver comfort b. An FFM gives good cold protection. in with a FFM. and a feeling of 'at one' with his c.A civilian second stage mouthpiece A back pack that would allow bottles to be equipment equates to greater confidence can be pulled from the mouth in heavy twinned as required, would avoid the and thereby improved safety underwater. kelp or by a snag. need to procure a completely new set.
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SCORPIO
- The Diver's Assistant
by Joe Cannon
SCORPIO is an unmanned remotely operated underwater vehicle system for subsea observation, sonar search, bottom survey and a wide range of mechanical work tasks at depths down to 3000 feet.
• SCORPIO fitted with the Mine Recovery Claw
Normally, adequate deck space, a 'short-stay' deployment method (i.e. articulated arm crane) and 440 volts are supplied by the parent vessel. The primary function of the ROV is to enable an operator to perform deep underwater tasks from the surface, without putting a diver at unnecessary risk and with the added advantage of long working endurance. These tasks are carried out by means of television cameras for observation and video recording, manipulators for physical undertakings (with various tool fitments) and sonar for search and location.
STBD FLOAT TANK & ELECTRONICS
VERTICAL EMERGENCY THRUSTER PINCER
EMERGENCY PORT & STBD STROBE LIGHT THRUSTERS
PORT FLOAT TANK & ELECTRONICS MODEL 250 CTEM THRUSTER SEARCH CONTROL UNIT SONAR
FIXED LATERAL LIGHT THRuSTER 5-FUNCTION MANIPul,ATOR AR TV CAMERA a, LIGHT ON PAN/TILT UNIT
SCORPIO has been employed in a wide variety of roles, amongst these are weapon recovery, R & D work, aircraft salvage, survey work and part of the submarine rescue package sponsored by the Standing Committee on Submarine Escape and Rescue (SCOSER). To satisfy the SCOSER commitment the ROV and its personnel are maintained at a permanent 'call out' status. • Recovering SCORPIO aboard RMAS SALMAID SCORPIO is 'diver friendly' and has been electrically modified to work safely with them. This has been most useful in the 'assist' role.There is also a tracking system which can be fitted to most vessels, further Equipment Number 45 of a series of over 90, SCORPIO is manufactured improving the system's capability in the search mode. by AMETEK STRAZA, in San Diego, California. It was purchased in Transported on a 40' road trailer, or by air - either internally in a C130 April 1983 as a Research and Development tool for Admiralty or similar, or as a helicopter underslung load, SCORPIO has a long Research Establishment (ARE) and as a replacement for the 'CUTLET' record of success and its full potential has yet to be fully realised. MoD system. SCORPIO was chosen because of its well proven record of experience of ROVs in the diver support role interface has been a reliability in support of North Sea oil industry. sensitive subject, but ROV's do play a vital part in diving operations, as Since that time it has been based at ARE Helston, in Cornwall, and is the recovery of weapons and equipment from HMS Coventry and the operated by a crew of four RN personnel. In 1985 it became the lifting of the Wellington from Loch Ness will verify. Included amongst operational ROV for the south coast. SCORPIO's many noteworthy accomplishments was the salvage of a The system consists of the vehicle, the cable winch and the control Sea King helicopter, in October 1988, and assistance in the recovery cabin. As a result of extensive modification, a ship's fit can be effected of the toxic cargo from MV Perintis. within four hours.
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THREAT FROM BELOW THE WATERLINE by John Boatman
it is difficult to detect without sophisticated designed to destroy offshore structures such The following article was written by countermeasures systems. as oil rigs and pipes. It is a 3.4 x 3.4 x 3 m 16 John Boatman, US Military Affairs tonne mine, with an explosive charge Correspondent for Jane's Defence Iraq has large stocks of Soviet mines. AM D equivalent to 13 tonnes of TNT. Detonation is Weekly, and is reproduced here and KMD series bottom influence mines are by timer or remote control. courtesy of Jane's Information Group prevalent, configured in Soviet use as Limited. magnetic, acoustic, pressure and combination Although US officials have a clear idea of The data listed and opinions stated, as influence mines. It is unlikey, however, that Iraqi mine capabilities, they are less certain of first published in JDWon 22September Iraq possesses the sophisticated variants quantities because Iraq makes so many. 1990, are those of the author and are such as the combination mines. not endorsed by MoD(N) at any level. Iraq's minelaying capabilities include several Inclusion of this article is for the topical Iraq also has Soviet Krabs, the aged MO8 (as hundred helicopters, including Aerospatiale interest and benefit of those persons in 1908) and MKB-series mines. It has been Super Frelons and a large number of Soviet- whose service sub-specialisation will reported that the sophisticated Stonefish built built Mi-8 and Mi-17's. A few Tupolev Tu-16 enable them to draw their own by Marconi Underwater Systems had also Badger and Tu-22 Blinder aircraft are also professional conclusions from this been acquired, but a US source says this is available. independant, unclassified source. unlikely. Iraq also has several vessels capable of Iraq manufactures three types of mine possibly minelaying: three Soviet-built "Polnochny" based on Soviet designs: landing craft, one T-43 class ocean There are two versions of the Al- minesweeper, three "Yevgenya" class inshore The US DoD believes that, should Iraq Muthena moored contact mine: the AM-35 minsweepers and three Yugoslav Nestinclass begin a minelaying campaign, it would (35 kg warhead) and AM-45 (45 kg warhead). minesweepers. most likely lay minefields off Kuwait City, They are manufactured with anchor and cable, by the Shatt al Arab waterway and in the and also as a drifting mine, illegal under In addition, there are Iraqi and foreign air waterway that leads to Umm Qasr. cushion vehicles (including some UK-built SR.N6 Winchesters captured during the Planners also fear mining could occur, with invasion of Kuwait) which could be used. Iraq co-operation from others, in the Gulf of Oman, can also lay mines from a range of other Red Sea, Eastern Mediterranean and Suez ships, from small dhows to much larger Canal. "....a drifting contact mine merchant ships. Although Iraq laid relatively few mines during is illegal under international the Iran-Iraq war, US Naval specialists believe its capabilities are significant. law...."
Iraq does have serious weaknesses, however. While it is strong in mine manufacturing, its delivery systems are old and, although plentiful, in the case of helicopters are not international law. entirely accurate. The bottom-moored contact Sigeel has a warhead of about 400 kg, while the Some Iraqi mines were supplied by the Soviet Sumer, an acoustic and/or magnetic bottom Union and Italy, US analysts say. Italy has mine is roughly the same size. sold Iraq MISAR's Manta influence bottom • A Soviet-built T-43 Minesweeper mine, which operates at depths of up to 100 Apart from the above, there is also the unusual m and has a 140 kg warhead. Plastic-cased, Alkaakaa/16 floating/submersible mine - also capable of minelaying.
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ARMY AGA DIVATOR by Bill Dainty
NEW EQUIPMENT REQUIRED IMPROVED DESIGN shoulder straps of the frame are adjustable and the waist strap incorporates a quick release buckle. For operational reasons in Northern AGA Divator Mk 2 consists of three Ireland it was established in 1972 that components: there was a requirement for soldiers to be able to conduct search and clearance a. Cylinder pack and harness Regulator Assembly and operations in sewers, foul water cavities assembly. Pressure Gauge and underground installations. The major The regulator assembly consists of a pressure problem to be overcome quite obviously b. Regulator assembly and pressure regulator, a high pressure hose and gauge, was the environmently dangerous gases gauge manifold. and a breathing hose. It is connected to the and foul matter. Diving equipment had to cylinder valve by hand and has an extremely include a full face mask supplying air c. Breathing valve and facemask. high flow capacity. overpressure to prevent the ingress of contaminants; be rugged enough to Cylinder Pack and Harness survive the likely environment, whilst AGA has twin steel alloy cylinders positioned remaining slim enough to enable the diver in a central cradle secured by stainless steel to wriggle into restricted spaces and bands. The twin cylinders are joined by a through manholes yet at the same time stainless steel crossover tube protected from giving a satisfactory endurance. damage by the plastic carrying handle. The cylinder valve attached to the left cylinder (as The first set to enter service which fulfilled worn) controls the air output of both cylinders. these criteria was the Interspiro AGA Divator The valve incorporates a ratchet device Mk 1. It was used in Northern Ireland on preventing the valve from being accidentally internal security duties by 33 Independent closed in confined spaces. To close the valve Field Squadron, Royal Engineers in 1976. the hand wheel must be pressed in against the valve body and simultaneously turned. Used by Civil Police At approximately the same time the civil police in the UK were forming professional diving • Mask with Regulator Assembly search teams who were chartered to operate and Pressure Gauge in similarly unpleasant environments. Many opted for the AGA Mk 1, the Demand Valve (DV) of which unfortunately developed a Breathing Valve and Face Mask reputation for freezing up in low temperatures: The breathing valve is the demand type some police teams unsurprisingly selected designed to give a slight positive pressure alternative equipments as a result. The AGA (20mm water column) in the mask. It also Mk 2 was developed to overcome the problem acts as a safety valve for the regulator. of freezing up and remains in service with several police teams. If pressure builds up to 14 Bar on the valve side of the regulator the valve will free flow until the pressure falls below 10 Bar.
A small lever is located on the breathing valve to allow the set to be turned on without operating the mask positive pressure. It automatically flicks over on inhalation.
The facemask outer and inner oral/nasal unit are made of rubber. The outer mask holds a • Rear View of Cylinder Pack flat visor with matt sides to prevent optical distortion. Cylinder data is as follows: Internally the mask has studs for spectacles a. Test pressure 450 Bar. and a space for the microphone of a communications system. b. Working pressure 300 Bar. On inhalation, air is allowed to flow over the c. Water/nominal capacity 4 litres inside of the visor to prevent fogging. per cylinder. Noseclips are not required with AGA as it has The cylinder pack is fitted to the stainless a static noseclearing device built into the • The AGA Mk2 Divator steel frame by keyhole slots and a catch. The facemask. 12 www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk
INCREASED RESERVE SUPPLY North Sea in saturation diving especially for AGA IN OPERATIONAL USE use when welding since its non-metallic construction prevents "arcing"of certain AGA incorporates a mechanical 400 litre/50 AGA equipments are currently issued to equipments. Bar reserve air supply, as opposed to several units including the following: DSSCCA's 25% reserve. a. Royal Engineers Diving It is operated by a small valve incorporated VARIATIONS AVAILABLE Establishment into the high pressure breathing hose, and clips into the diver's right shoulder strap. The AGA is adaptable to several variations in b.33 Engineer Regiment (EOD); both valve will not operate until the set is breathed addition to the SDDE mode. Divator and Spiromatic to approximately 60 Bars. It is designed to take a standard Nuclear, c. 33 Independent Field Squadron At 50 Bars the diver comes onto breathing Biological and Chemical (NBC) canister filter RE (Northern Ireland) restriction and simply flicks the valve lever for above water operations in toxic over. At this point he must surface. environments. d. Tri-Service EOD teams (surface kit only) The Inspector of Diving of the Royal Engineers Diving Establishment (IDA REDE) recently conducted a successful mini-trial designed to evaluate diving operations in an NBC environment using AGA and was impressed by its performance.
It has also been found that the AGA DV and facemask system is compatable with the RN's DSSCCA replacement set, SABRE.
AGA Divator has a twin equipment - AGA Spiromatic. The Spiromatic is designed for surface work in Explosive Ordnance Disposal and firefighting. Spiromatic works on very similar principles to Divator with an overpressure mask and adaptors for NBC filters. It is usually worn inside a protective oversuit. Although designed for surface use spiromatic can also be used underwater.
• The L-Shaped Reserve Air Supply Lever is mounted next to the Pressure Gauge HP Air Hose • And of course the best acceptance trial is to give the set to a suitable, HIGH PERFORMANCE CLAIMS qualified diver and see if he is happy with it. Popular with its AGA is widely used around the world with regular users and those familiar military and police services as well as in with their own different sets and commercial diving. In its self contained form routines, AGA is a comfortable, it is fully capable of working to 60m. This depth also applies when AGA is used with a safe , reliable diving set. It is not surface demand panel. cheap, but then diving safety doesn't come cheap. It is claimed to be a simple change over to turn the eqipment into Surface Demand Diving Equipment (SDDE) which supplies a diver with air at 6 Bars above ambient. AGA has a deservedly high reputation as a diving equipment but its high price in The manufacturer claims that the AGA Divator comparison to existing SCDA equipment in Self Contained Breathing Apparatus makes it unpopular with the MOD. (SCBA) form has been satisfactorily tested using gas mixtures at 300 metres and both It is currently manufactured under licence in the demand valve and facemask at 400 UK in collaboration with Drager in West metres, in accordance with recommendations Germany. by the Department of Energy for"work of • AGA Spiromatic being worn in breathing" energy valves. conditions of gross NBC contamination, underneath The facemask is extensively used in the standard NBC Clothing.
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Across The North Atlantic By Voith-Schneider Propulsion by Horst Sachsenberg
(Azores). During this first part of our journey, the Azores to the Bermudas, a distance of Editor's Note: The following article, we met SW-winds of between Force 4-5 and almost 2,000 nautical miles. Two days before first published in Issue Number 49 of medium high, choppy seas. The boat was reaching this group of islands, "R.96" entered "HANSA", on 5 Dec 1953, was found by pitching heavily, so that its stern was a zone of bad weather, with sudden squalls Lt Cdr Robin Jack, of DGSS Bath, whilst completely lifted out of the water. Due to the up to Storm Force 10. The situation became weeding a Pack entitled "OPTIONS FOR position of the VSP's, however, which were critical when the protecting plates on the PROPULSORS FOR CHALLENGER". installed in the keel, approximately 5 m from outside planking of the bows were torn off by Whilst a final decision has yet to be the stern, the propellers remained submerged the violent seas and the fore-peak was filled made as to the commercial future of and the continuous progress of the boat was with water. Due to the heavy load in the fore- that vessel, readers of this article may not limited or interrupted, thus sparing us a part of the ship, the movements of the vessel care to ponder upon its relevance to the critical and very unpleasant experience. became slow and there was the danger that RN's new "Sandown" Class of the "R.96" would not be able to ride the minehunters, also fitted with Voith- After our departure from St.Nazaire, the small oncoming rolling seas. Immediately, the Schneider Propulsion (VSP). craft was touched by a hurricane. The propellers were reduced to pitch 6. The peril following sea rapidly increased, became that the boat would be capsized by cross
In August and September this year [1953], the Hamburg Daily Press published accounts of the transatlantic crossing to New York of the "R.96". The former mine- sweeper of the German Navy is a wooden vessel built in 1942 by Abeking & Rasmussen and has a length of 36 m and a displacement of 142 tons. It is powered by an eight-cylinder MAN Diesel Engine output reduced to 500 HP which drives both Voith-Schneider propellers by means of two shafts and gives a cruising speed of 12 knots.
I took part in the journey as First Officer. Having served as a seaman hitherto almost • Minesweeper R.21 - very similar to R.96, the vessel in this article. exclusively on large screw-driven vessels on long voyages (Horn Line), gaining experience higher and more violent and reached a speed seas was averted due to the exceptional only in this field, I considered the Voith- faster than that of the boat. The waves manoeuvrability of the Voith-Schneider Schneider propulsion to be one of the weakest towered threateningly, high above the stern propulsion, the boat turning 180a in a fraction points in the whole plan to cross the North of the small vessel and the crew thought of a minute. Both propellers were set back on Atlantic. The only personal knowledge and themselves to be in a dangerous situation. pitch 6 and the vessel again lay calm and experience I had of the VSP was gained stable. Now the same phenomenon as during during the war, when my flotilla was operating Most surprisingly, however, the unique action the first part of the journey was observed, from time to time with mine-sweepers of the VSP's broke up the high waves over an indeed much more demonstrative. The mighty equipped with VSP. Then, I had the area covering a distance approximately 10 m following sea was divided and repulsed within impression that in heavy seas these boats astern and a breadth of at least 15 m, and the range of the Voith-Schneider propellers, were at a disadvantage in comparison with pulled them under the stern without difficulty. and the breaking waves disappeared already vessels driven by conventional screws. Their Those waves not affected by the propellers 10 -16 m astern, just as if one had used oil for tactical operation was always ordered by the passed by, foaming and breaking, on the port calming the troubled waters. This was an commander with special consideration to the and starboard sides of the boat. astonishing and pleasing fact, which gave the weather conditions. crew a feeling of absolute security in this The vessel itself lay calm and stable in a situation. When crossing the Atlantic in the "R.96", valley of water, the walls of which, on both however, I noted to my great surprise, several sides, towered like a railway embankment In my opinion this fact, besides the many facts regarding the Voith-Schneider four or five times the height of the boat. The other known advantages of the Voith- propulsion which are certainly worthy of crew, after their original suspicion, very quickly Schneider propulsion (engine rotating in one consideration, even if they are of interest to got used to the unusual picture. During the direction only, highest manoeuvrability, purely maritime concerns only. nearly 30 hours journey on the verge of this shortest stopping distance and as result, hurricane, the "R.96" shipped practically no greatest security) suggests for further From Hamburg, the "R.96" set course through water. examination the use of this form of propulsion. the Channel and the Bay of Biscay in order to take aboard fuel and water at St.Nazaire The commander of the ship took advantage (France) for the journey to Ponta Delgada of this fact on the third part of the journey from 14 www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk Main Feature A BED OF ROSES IN PORTSMOUTH NAVAL BASE
by MCM2 Squadron Staff. Pictures by SMOPS Photographic Section. With the rundown of alongside facilities at HMS VERNON in the early 1980's and to improve support for TON and HUNT Class MCMV's in Portsmouth, Number 2 Basin at the South East end of the Naval Base was earmarked as a site for extensive development.
Phase 1, which provided facilities principally for TON Class vessels, was substantially completed during 1984 and the Second Mine Countermeasures Squadron, with its distinctive Hampshire Rose funnel badge was the major beneficiary.
Phase 2, which is currently underway with a planned completion date of December 1990, represents a major additional development which will permit a squadron of HUNT Class MCMV's to operate with full shore support from Portsmouth Naval Base.
• View of the south-east corner of Number 2 Basin, with a Ton Class Minehunter refitting in Number 8 Dock and contractors working on the jetty improvements. In the foreground, atop the lamp-post, is one of the new transit beacons to aid safe entry through the narrow entrance to the Basin.
When complete, the project will provided shore-based facilities for the servicing of MCM vessels alongside, utilising refurbished, existing • The view looking northwards across 2 Basin. At left is buildings adjacent to 2 Basin, which has itself undergone a major HMS HUMBER, a River Class MSF of MCM10, in transformation involving wall-strengthening works to permit berthing the background are three Ton Class MHC's of MCM 3 operations throughout all tidal stages. The updating of domestic facilities for vessels alongside, such as firemain, shore power and and an Oberon Class submarine is docked down in telephones is also being addressed. Number 11 Dock at right. Continued overleaf 15 www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk
Main Feature (continued)
Continued from previous page have since been crewed by largely Scottish-preference ratings.
To support the ships administratively and materially, offices and store Returning from a busy Mediterranean deployment in June 1989. the rooms will be co-located with new workshops and maintenance areas 2nd MOM Squadron was enlarged by the addition of HM Ships in the old sail loft to the west of 2 Basin, with two dry docks to the east. ATHERSTONE and COTTESMORE and together, the f ive ships of the The pay and stores offices are already in being. assisting the Craft completed Squadron will be based at Portsmouth from January 1991. Support Unit (CSU) and those units of 3 MCM (The TON Squadron) crewed (fingers crossed) by Portsmouth preferees. To pave the way currently operating from Portsmouth. The whole package is designed for the "return" of the Squadron to Portsmouth and to help consolidate to cater not only for the Royal Navy's modern fleet of Mine Hunters but facilities in the new complex. the Staff of MOM 2 moved into their also those of our NATO allies, well into the 21st century. offices at 2 Basin on the 1st March 1990. Led by Commander J C Scoles Royal Navy. the Squadron has a busy period ahead prior to January 1991. Exercises. weapon training, work-ups and a then an on-call period for Gulf deployment are all programmed forthe latter half of 1990. to be followed by leave in Rosyth and finally the transfer south.
The Hampshire Rose's return to Portsmouth as the emblem of 2 MOM is long overdue and hopefully will remain there for many years to come.
- u2E 11111111•11.111W"
• HMS BICESTER, a Hunt Class MHSC (albeit a "Blackfoot" version from the Rosyth-based 4th MCM Squadron) gently enters into Number 2 Basin to trial the new leading lights.
To prepare for the change of emphasis from TON to HUNT Class within Portsmouth Naval Base. the remaining TONs of 2 MCM transferred squadrons to 3 MCM but remain Portsmouth-based. 2 MOM then became a HUNT Squadron. consisting of HM Ships BRECON, CATTISTOCK and HURWORTH.
Due to the absence of adequate facilities in Portsmouth and as a • Commander Scoles and his Squadron Staff on their temporary expedient. the re-juvenated 2 MCM. together with the Squadron staff of the Commander MCM2. formed up at Rosyth and return to their new Hampshire Home.
The History of The Hampshire Rose The Hampshire County Badge consists of one red rose surmounted by a golden crown, with a little cone-shaped red cap above the crown all surrounded by a wreath of green leaves. The motto "Com Southton" is an abbreviation for "County of Southampton" which was the County's official name until 1959. When the badge was first adopted there were no colours but, when coloured versions were called for, the rose was portrayed in red. The rose is generally thought to be the Red Rose of Lancaster, granted to the Hampshire Militia by either John of Gaunt who was Duke of Lancaster, or by King Henry V when the militia went with him to France and fought at Agincourt in 1415. In 1895, when the County Council was deciding what to do about a Coat of Arms, the College of Arms were consulted. The College did not know the County's authority for the use of the Red Rose of Lancaster. The Lancastrian connection is interesting: The red rose was in use consistently as a Lancastrian emblem, and Edmund, Earl of Lancaster, the brother of Edward I, had red roses emblazoned on his tomb in Westminster Abbey. The Hampshire Rose is widely used on local Coats of Arms: Southampton has three as have the Arms of William of Wykeham. The Priory of Southwick had two white roses in its Arms and Petersfield has a red rose. The badge is Hampshire's own, and only the County Council may give or refuse permission for its use, but the Badge may not be displayed on a shield if the rules of heraldry are not observed.
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17 17
A short time after having joined the RNR, a a RNR, the joined having after time short A that "Barny" Barnet B.E.M. will be a worthy worthy a be will B.E.M. Barnet "Barny" that in the future and boost the existing numbers. numbers. existing the boost and future the in
Squadron Staff also, though we are confident confident are we though also, Staff Squadron females take an interest in the Diving Branch, Branch, Diving the in interest an take females
ship!). ship!). not the geography. That holds true for for true holds That geography. the not feasible proposition. Let us hope that more more that hope us Let proposition. feasible
to this day day this to I I don't remember getting off the the off getting remember don't staff of all branches, are in the draft for the job job the for draft the in are branches, all of staff for years. They have proved that it is a a is it that proved have They years. for
during an intense D.T.S, in Hong Kong (and (and Kong Hong in D.T.S, intense an during be fair, it can only be maintained if permanent permanent if maintained be only can it fair, be been successfully employing female divers divers female employing successfully been
only time previously spent on a Ton was was Ton a on spent previously time only RNR has been constantly on the rise, but, to to but, rise, the on constantly been has RNR The American and Australian Navys have have Navys Australian and American The
marginally insecure, given the fact that my my that fact the given insecure, marginally 70's, the professional learning curve of the the of curve learning professional the 70's,
a non-sweeping weekend, so I only felt felt only I so weekend, non-sweeping a the formation of the 10th Squadron in the mid- the in Squadron 10th the of formation the parallel to that of their male counterpart. counterpart. male their of that to parallel
for a sea weekend. Fortunately it was to be be to was it Fortunately weekend. sea a for The message we're trying to get over is, since since is, over get to trying we're message The and as a member of the dive team runs runs team dive the of member a as and
found myself as the Buffer of HMS Crichton Crichton HMS of Buffer the as myself found physical one. However their role technically technically role their However one. physical
1977 before before 1977 I I was accepted. Within 3 days days 3 Within accepted. was I I recently, with MCM 3. 3. MCM with recently, limitation that will restrict female divers is a a is divers female restrict will that limitation
took some 4 months, and it was February February was it and months, 4 some took with MCM 10, MCM 4 (Hi Dixie!) and, more more and, Dixie!) (Hi 4 MCM 10, MCM with It is also an axiom that perhaps the only only the perhaps that axiom an also is It
The vetting procedure - even for ex-RN's- for even - procedure vetting The for MCMTA work (another of our war roles) roles) war our of (another work MCMTA for
coming PO(MW)'s some space, have opted opted have space, some PO(MW)'s coming many other areas of the Navy. Navy. the of areas other many
year's taxable pay it was costing me! me! costing was it pay taxable year's CPO (MW)'s wanting to give the up and and up the give to wanting (MW)'s CPO concomitant with what is taking place in in place taking is what with concomitant
I immediately began calculating how many many how calculating began immediately I During the last couple of years some of us us of some years of couple last the During a major step forward in terms of integration, integration, of terms in forward step major a
Permanent Staff, (I'd never heard of the draft!) draft!) the of heard never (I'd Staff, Permanent the Port Diving Branch, it can be viewed as as viewed be can it Branch, Diving Port the
-up and the fact that there were so many many so were there that fact the and -up ears ears
be), in comparison to the overall strength of of strength overall the to comparison in be),
dispelled on my first visit having seen the set set the seen having visit first my on dispelled of an anchor bed does wonders for wax in the the in wax for wonders does bed anchor an of is a relatively small number (and may always always may (and number small relatively a is
elderly Wavy Navy types were quickly quickly were types Navy Wavy elderly for top class floodlit deck hockey, and the lack lack the and hockey, deck floodlit class top for being qualified to dive to 30m. Although this this Although 30m. to dive to qualified being
My expectations of a Nissen hut and a set of of set a and hut Nissen a of expectations My and there is even room forward of the winch winch the of forward room even is there and Reserve has resulted in four females now now females four in resulted has Reserve
its advantages: the accomodation is first class, class, first is accomodation the advantages: its Port Diving Branch of the Royal Naval Naval Royal the of Branch Diving Port
unit I set about joining. joining. about set I unit seamanship terms as the Tons, it does have have does it Tons, the as terms seamanship The introduction of female ,divers into the the into ,divers female of introduction The
Mersey Division in Liverpool was my nearest nearest my was Liverpool in Division Mersey Although probably not so challenging in pure pure in challenging so not probably Although
better of me, and having ascertained that that ascertained having and me, of better sweep deck again with the arrival of the MSF. MSF. the of arrival the with again deck sweep
by Jane Alexander Alexander Jane by this, the urge to renew my old lifestyle got the the got lifestyle old my renew to urge the this, eventually swapped the "Gloom Room" for a a for Room" "Gloom the swapped eventually
RNR vessel prior to the disaster. On reading reading On disaster. the to prior vessel RNR We had BRERETON for 3 years and and years 3 for BRERETON had We
RESERVE (P.D.)? (P.D.)? RESERVE
account of the probable scenario onboard the the onboard scenario probable the of account
the Fittleton (Sussex Division) gave an an gave Division) (Sussex Fittleton the of being an MH D. D. MH an being of
ROYAL NAVAL NAVAL ROYAL
who used to belong to the Parent RNR unit of of unit RNR Parent the to belong to used who 193 sonar, Short Scope Buoys, and the joys joys the and Buoys, Scope Short sonar, 193
A subsequent newspaper report by a journalist journalist a by report newspaper subsequent A of Tony Sheaf at VERNON to learn all about about all learn to VERNON at Sheaf Tony of
WOMENS' WOMENS' to the drawing board and the capable hands hands capable the and board drawing the to
men from the Fittleton were lost. lost. were Fittleton the from men CROFTON for BRERETON. So, it was back back was it So, BRERETON. for CROFTON
Fittleton on completion of a RAS. Twelve Twelve RAS. a of completion on Fittleton were informed that we were exchanging exchanging were we that informed were
collided with, and subsequently capsized HMS HMS capsized subsequently and with, collided as we were beating our chests in triumph, we we triumph, in chests our beating were we as
accident in the North Sea when HMS Mermaid Mermaid HMS when Sea North the in accident imagine the satisfaction that brings brings that satisfaction the imagine Just Just ) )
In 1976 the national press covered a tragic tragic a covered press national the 1976 In beat the RN on occasions: you just cannot cannot just you occasions: on RN the beat
Sweeper (having had three by 1982, we even even we 1982, by three had (having Sweeper perhaps be patient with us. us. with patient be perhaps
my RFR retainer. retainer. RFR my Eventually we had mastered the Ton Class Class Ton the mastered had we Eventually understand us a little better now, and can can and now, better little a us understand
the annual signing of my "still alive" form for for form alive" "still my of signing annual the supporters, and to our critics: we hope you you hope we critics: our to and supporters,
1973 my only contact with the Andrew was was Andrew the with contact only my 1973 work on sea weekends! weekends! sea on work In conclusion, our grateful thanks to our our to thanks grateful our conclusion, In
gunnery rate, (QR2). Having left the RN in in RN the left Having (QR2). rate, gunnery hours per week in the classroom and practical practical and classroom the in week per hours
are ex-RN and in my own case, a former former a case, own my in and ex-RN are etc as well as O's and Double O's and all in 4 4 in all and O's Double and O's as well as etc forthcoming future appointment. appointment. future forthcoming
unless you know better of course. Many of us us of Many course. of better know you unless of CTA, Loop, Acoustic Hammers/Displacers, Hammers/Displacers, Acoustic Loop, CTA, of greatly appreciated. Best wishes to him in his his in him to wishes Best appreciated. greatly
the largest Squadron in the Royal Navy Navy Royal the in Squadron largest the experience", trying to take in the complexities complexities the in take to trying experience",
input has a purpose, and it is clear that that is is that that clear is it and purpose, a has input
the 10th MCM Squadron, which is numerically numerically is which Squadron, MCM 10th the alongside RNR new entries with "no previous previous "no with entries new RNR alongside to the most ordinary of Seamen feel that their their that feel Seamen of ordinary most the to
As you will probably be aware, the RNR forms forms RNR the aware, be probably will you As We sweated blood as "mature students" students" "mature as blood sweated We manner that makes everyone from the C.O. C.O. the from everyone makes that manner
discharging his professional duties in a a in duties professional his discharging
us as almost human human almost as us as they knew their way around VERNON....). VERNON....). around way their knew they as G Bartlett (MCM10) who has the knack of of knack the has who (MCM10) Bartlett G
that the professionals will perhaps treat treat perhaps will professionals the that we gunnery rates felt had an unfair advantage, advantage, unfair an had felt rates gunnery we formation of the 10th Squadron has been Cdr Cdr been has Squadron 10th the of formation
catting for ex-RN personnel, in the hope hope the in personnel, ex-RN for catting ex RN's & FC's as well as UC's &UW's (who (who &UW's UC's as well as FC's & RN's ex stimulation into RNR training since the the since training RNR into stimulation
branches a considerable amount of re- of amount considerable a branches and spent many patient hours cross training training cross hours patient many spent and has provided the greatest input, concern and and concern input, greatest the provided has
RNR which means with its limited Ops sub sub Ops limited its with means which RNR as he was genuinely interested in his work work his in interested genuinely was he as While.on the subject of BZ's, one person who who person one BZ's, of subject the While.on
insight into the MW Branch within the the within Branch MW the into insight ME's at EAGLET have cause to thank Neil, Neil, thank to cause have EAGLET at ME's
And Diving" magazine. I wish to give an an give to wish I magazine. Diving" And Rutherford. Most of the current senior rate rate senior current the of Most Rutherford. fluorescent shorts! shorts! fluorescent
mentioned, albeit briefly, in "Minewarfare "Minewarfare in briefly, albeit mentioned, joined HMS EAGLET, by the name of Neil Neil of name the by EAGLET, HMS joined greatly for his genuine help, humour, and and humour, help, genuine his for greatly
It has been pleasing to see the RNR RNR the see to pleasing been has It
new permanent Staff TASI (pre-MW days) days) (pre-MW TASI Staff permanent new successor to Jumper Collins who we will miss miss will we who Collins Jumper to successor
by P F SYMES SYMES F P by
PART-TIME MOPPET MOPPET PART-TIME
PROFILE OF A A OF PROFILE www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk
Inter-Service Co-Operation I by Steve Gadd
Just before Christmas of last year, I received a call from the Royal Navy speak to the surface team, whilst the crane lowered the rudder into the Headquarters in Moscow Camp, Belfast, requesting the assistance of water. This worked very well and it proved to be very helpful. the diving team of 33 (Independent) Field Squadron, Royal Engineers. The task was to inspect the hull of HMS CYGNET, one of the Northern When this had been done, LCp1 Steve Andrews was sent down and Ireland Squadron patrol vessels, and to confirm whether or not that attached a chain which was then lowered down the rudder shaft fixing they had lost a rudder from their ship. it to the new rudder. Finally with a lot of taking in and paying out on the chains, the new rudder was eventually put in place the correct way The diving team deployed from Antrim, and, following a quick inspection round. This was a very successlul diving task which was completed in dive by LCp1 Wotherspoon, it was confirmed that the rudder was a couple of hours once the initial problems had been resolved. indeed missing. This meant that the ship was unable to complete its patrol programme, therefore the replacement of the rudder was a high Our reward was a bottle of Captain Morgan's for saving the Royal Navy priority task to enable the ship to be classed as seaworthy again. a considerable sum of money.
After much consultation, it was decided to change the rudder whilst the ship was still in the water. It is believed that it had been done once before 'somewhere'. COME ONE EVEN A R:2460 IS 601N6 To NOTICE TWO 7ffiRps Harland & Wolf Shipbuilders of Belfast were commissioned to produce __, WATER! — MAkt IT 1-1k-F. a new rudder which was conveniently completed on a Saturday S morning (when they were on time and a half). The diving team arrived early on the Saturday morning and set up their diving equipment whilst the crew were preparing to undo the broken shaft. Meanwhile, it was noticed that the key way of the new rudder shaft had been cut 90 degrees out of line, meaning that if we had fitted the rudder it would have lain port to starboard instead of bow to stern.
This caused the job to be delayed for a further 24 hours whilst Harland & Wolf took the rudder away again and overnight re-cut the key ways. -kg Sunday morning arrived and once again the diving kit was set up on Moscow Jetty, Belfast. It was decided that we would use the Divers "....our reward was a bottle of Captain Morgan's...." Underwater Communications System (DUCS), to enable the diver to
Inter-Service Co- Operation II or:"WH It appeared to be a normal Sunday morning as I went to the was more likely because, firstly, there was a Spearfish patrol boat NAAFI to pick up my newspapers and, in company with a chum missing, and, secondly, the radar was not turning. On closer observation. from Boat Section, headed for the diving store to finish some we were proved correct. uncompleted work. On our way, we passed by the boats. At After pulling ourselves up from the floor, we decided that we had better first glance, they seemed OK, but a second look was necessary tell somebody, and so we telephoned the Navy representatives, who as we both focussed on a radar, protruding from below the appeared on the scene in seconds, as did half of 33 Independent Field surface. Squadron: excellent entertainment for an otherwise ordinary Sunday The immediate conclusions were: (a) that an underwater terrorist morning! vessel was monitoring activity in Massarrene Barracks from We decided that we needed some buoyancy bags to recover the Spearfish. close quarters,or (b) that the Navy's "Spearfish" patrol boat As we do not hold these in our store, we had to try outside agencies. Sgt was sitting on the bottom. We decided that the latter of these Jim Leach tried everywhere, but nobody had any. The Royal Navy's
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Practice Plunge In Hamburg by Barry Le Grys
21 Engineer Regiment, based in Nienburg/Weser on the North Several tasks were carried out including a day with the German civil West German Plain, is established for a 12man diving team. The police diving team. Two days were spent working in the docks team's role is to support the Regiment on combat engineer tasks inspecting piles and berth walls for damage and maintenance in 1st Armoured Division. requirements. This was not straightforward. A high entry was required and the water was pitch black. The task was done and the inspection The team deployed with the Regiment for a four week long report presented to the harbour authorities. exercise in March and carried out river reconnaissance for bridging operations, recovery tasks on equipment lost during prior bridging The harbour authorities were sufficiently impressed by our thorough and bridge demolition tasks, as well as safety cover and recovery and flexible approach (we were able to work within their busy docking on amphibious engineer vehicle crossings. timetable) to have the local press run an article with photographs. This resulted in some good publicity for the Army. A Spring diving concentration was planned for April to supplement the exercise activity and, after a month in the field, Staff Sergeant Price The team has been invited back to the docks for more intensive tasks suggested there could be nowhere better than Hamburg. (including the clearance of underwater hazards) and is pleased to have found an underwater work site which is dark but rich in training value The team drove to Hamburg and stayed for five days where we were and potential. accommodated in a German barracks within 30 minutes drive of the docks.