Naval vessels locate mines on the bottom of the Baltic Sea

Naval vessels have conducted mine reconnaissance in the area around Kołobrzeg. As a result several sunken mines were found. Now the dangerous remnants of World War II will undoubtedly be dealt with by mine divers.

This past Wednesday, 26 May, Navy vessels conducted operations as part of Operation #SolidarnaBelona. One of the elements was conducting mine reconnaissance and searching for dangerous objects of mines lying on the sea bottom. The unexploded ordnance located in the Pomeranian Bay was secured and marked.

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During the activities of the Naval Mine Defence Force and the NATO Standing Mine Defence Team Group 1, a check of the seabed was carried out. A number of objects were detected, some of which were identified as World War II era naval mines. The detected mines were secured and marked. Information about the dangerous objects was sent to the Mine Clearance Patrol of the 8th Coastal Defence Flotilla. – informed via its social media channels the Navy

Next steps

Specialists in “explosive” souvenirs of World War II will deal with the newly discovered objects in early June. The type of methods used will depend on the circumstances and situation with each mine found. Most likely they will be towed out to sea at a safe distance and then detonated. Previously, in the case of some unexploded ordnance, experts have also used the method deflagration.

Several objects have indeed been found north of Kolobrzeg as part of Operation Solidarna Bellona. They are located off the fairway, about 8 nautical miles from Kolobrzeg and at the moment pose no threat to shipping. They lie at a depth of approximately 17 metres. These are the remains of World War II, which will be checked by our mine divers. This will be done by the greatest specialists we have, i.e. divers of the 12th minesweeper Squadron. – informed Cdr Lt. Grzegorz Lewandowski, Spokesman of the 8th Flotilla Defence

The manoeuvres will last until the end of the week. Apart from vessels from Poland, ships from Belgium, Estonia, the Netherlands, Germany and the UK are also taking part.

Photo: Ensign Marcin Purman/8FOW