A FIVE-strong force of minehunters opened 2007 with a concerted sweep of the approaches to two of the nation’s greatest ports – offering up some hidden surprises.

Her Majesty’s Ships Atherstone, Cattistock and Quorn – all Hunt-class minehunters – and Pembroke and Walney, both Sandown-class mine countermeasures vessels, spent three weeks in the Solent on routine training.

Steel poles, metal beams, even shopping trolleys several miles out to sea – all were picked up by the ships – as well as some more troublesome objects.

As Quorn patrolled the sea lanes southeast of Nab Tower a strange object appeared on her new Sonar 2193 screen.

The ship’s ‘yellow submarine’ (Remote- Control Mine Dispersal Vehicle to give it the correct title) was lowered into the chilly waters.

From 70ft beneath the surface of the Solent, the robot submarine beamed back live images of a 1,500lb German GC mine.

A dive team then placed a 4lb charge on the aged ordnance, withdrew to a safe distance and sent it up in the air.

Slightly closer to Portsmouth and Southampton two more aerial-launched mines were sent to the afterlife by HMS Walney.

She found the ordnance a couple of miles southeast of Nab Tower, first with her ‘dipping’ Sonar 2093, then she sent her yellow submarine to investigate and sent the two mines to oblivion in controlled explosions.

“It’s a great sense of satisfaction and mission accomplishment when you get an opportunity like this,” said Lt John Hulttunen, Walney’s operations officer on exchange from the US Navy.

See March’s Navy News for a full report.