Even 76 years after the end of the Second World War, there are still many high-explosive remnants at the bottom of the European seas. In the North Sea, the Dutch Navy and its partners are therefore practising mine clearance in the Wadden Sea. The Sandy Coast 2021 exercise will bring together 15 ships and 600 soldiers to train appropriate procedures in the sea area north of the Wadden Islands. The Dutch units involved include the minesweeper Zierikzeethe submarine auxiliary vehicle Mercuur and the diver rescue boat Hydra. With their high volume of traffic, harbour entrances are particularly at risk. "Mine clearance is an important task for the Royal Navy and its partners," said Frigate Captain Peter Baars, Sandy Coast exercise leader. "Commercial shipping and fishing still have to deal with the dangers of explosives on the seabed and in harbour entrances."
The Dutch Wadden Sea offers a very special environment. The many shallows coupled with strong currents, extremely dynamic seabed conditions and frequently changing weather conditions place high demands on the skills of the crews. The first weeks of the exercise are therefore characterised by cooperation at sea. By the end of Sandy Costs 21, the demands will have increased steadily. The highlight will be intensive cooperation with local and regional safety authorities in the Eemshaven on the north-east coast of the country. Teams of divers and security soldiers will then be deployed together with explosive ordnance disposal experts from the Dutch military. The Sandy Coast exercise will continue until 10 September.
HNLMS Mercuur
Text: mb; Photo: Koninklijke Marine
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