lennart
25-03-03, 17:24
Trained dolphins help clear mines
17:00 - 25 March 2003
Mark 7 and 8 Mammal Marine Systems, better known as dolphins, are set to clear the way for aid deliveries to Iraq, it has emerged.
The animals, trained to hunt mines by the United States Navy, have been deployed in the Gulf along with "Mark 5" sea lions.
The sea lions from the US Naval Space and Warfare Systems Centre have been guarding coalition ships from attack by enemy divers in Bahrain since January.
Now dolphins trained at the same San Diego centre are on hand to ensure ships can dock safely at the southern Iraqi port of Umm Qasr.
They are part of a mine clearance group that includes US, British and Australian divers preparing the port so that ships can dock, a British Navy spokesman said.
"They are on standby for mine clearance," he told journalists visiting the port.
Umm Qasr will provide the vital gateway for the coalition's humanitarian effort, which will begin once the port is fully secure.
An inbuilt sonar allows the dolphins to detect mines on the sea bed while their agility means they can avoid floating explosives, US Navy spokesman Lieutenant JG Frey said.
"Forward deployment of the dolphins allows for immediate tasking in theatre," he said.
When mines are discovered, the dolphins are removed from the area before they are detonated, Lt Frey stressed. (jaja, dat zal wel :( )
17:00 - 25 March 2003
Mark 7 and 8 Mammal Marine Systems, better known as dolphins, are set to clear the way for aid deliveries to Iraq, it has emerged.
The animals, trained to hunt mines by the United States Navy, have been deployed in the Gulf along with "Mark 5" sea lions.
The sea lions from the US Naval Space and Warfare Systems Centre have been guarding coalition ships from attack by enemy divers in Bahrain since January.
Now dolphins trained at the same San Diego centre are on hand to ensure ships can dock safely at the southern Iraqi port of Umm Qasr.
They are part of a mine clearance group that includes US, British and Australian divers preparing the port so that ships can dock, a British Navy spokesman said.
"They are on standby for mine clearance," he told journalists visiting the port.
Umm Qasr will provide the vital gateway for the coalition's humanitarian effort, which will begin once the port is fully secure.
An inbuilt sonar allows the dolphins to detect mines on the sea bed while their agility means they can avoid floating explosives, US Navy spokesman Lieutenant JG Frey said.
"Forward deployment of the dolphins allows for immediate tasking in theatre," he said.
When mines are discovered, the dolphins are removed from the area before they are detonated, Lt Frey stressed. (jaja, dat zal wel :( )