''Minentaucher'' is the German term for mine

clearance diver A clearance diver was originally a specialist naval underwater diving, diver who used explosives underwater to remove obstructions to make harbours and shipping channels safe to navigate, but the term "clearance diver" was later used to include ...

s. The ''Minentaucherkompanie'' is a specialist unit within the

German Navy The German Navy (, ) is part of the unified (Federal Defense), the German Armed Forces. The German Navy was originally known as the ''Bundesmarine'' (Federal Navy) from 1956 to 1995, when ''Deutsche Marine'' (German Navy) became the official ...

responsible for underwater and Land tasks including removing or salvaging underwater munitions such as mines and for servicing underwater drones. It is part of the Sea Battalion and is based in Eckernförde. Wappen der Minentaucherkompanie

''Minentaucherkompani''e

The mine clearance diver company consists of soldiers at its headquarters in Eckenförde and those assigned to various German navy vessels. It primarily operates in German territorial waters such as the

Baltic Sea The Baltic Sea is an arm of the Atlantic Ocean that is enclosed by the countries of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, Sweden, and the North European Plain, North and Central European Plain regions. It is the ...

, clearing naval mines and other hazards. It also supports search and recovery operations involving sunken ships, submarines and airplanes. In autumn 1985 the unit saw its first overseas engagement, clearing freshly laid mines in the

Suez Canal The Suez Canal (; , ') is an artificial sea-level waterway in Egypt, Indo-Mediterranean, connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea through the Isthmus of Suez and dividing Africa and Asia (and by extension, the Sinai Peninsula from the rest ...

. It has since served in several parts of the world as a part of NATO military deployments and exercises. Members of the company have also deployed with German special Forces on various Missions. The Unit is currently equipped with the Stealth EOD M for diving, as well as the LAR VII for shallow water operations.

''Minentaucherkompani''e

References

See also