Royal Australian Navy Clearance Diving Branch

Royal Australian Navy Clearance Diving Branch
Unit name	Clearance Diving Branch
Caption	Clearance divers aboard HMAS Canberra
Country	Australia
Branch	Royal Australian Navy
Type	Specialised diving and explosive ordnance disposal
Role	Underwater clearance, EOD, maritime counterterrorism, salvage, reconnaissance
Garrison	HMAS Waterhen; HMAS Stirling
Nickname	Clearance Divers
Battles	Korea; Vietnam War; Falklands; Gulf War; Afghanistan; Iraq War
Anniversaries	Clearance Divers' Day

Royal Australian Navy Clearance Diving Branch is the specialised diving and explosive ordnance disposal element of the Royal Australian Navy, trained for underwater demolition, mine countermeasures, salvage, and maritime counterterrorism tasks. The Branch provides capabilities across the Indian Ocean and Pacific theatres, supporting Australian Defence Force operations, multinational exercises, and civil disaster responses. Its personnel operate from HMAS Waterhen, HMAS Stirling, and aboard fleet units including HMAS Melbourne (R21), HMAS Canberra (L02), and HMAS Brisbane (DDG 41).

History

The origins trace to clearance diving units formed during the Second World War, influenced by practices from Royal Navy clearance parties and United States Navy frogmen units. Post-war reorganisation established permanent teams during the Korean War and expanded through the Vietnam War with operations supporting HMAS Sydney (III) and Australian Army amphibious units. During the late 20th century, Clearance Divers deployed to the Falklands War-era operations, peacetime salvage such as the recovery of HMAS Voyager (D04) artefacts, and mine countermeasures during the Gulf War alongside coalition navies including Royal Australian Navy task groups. In the 21st century, deployments included support to operations in Operation Slipper, Operation Catalyst, and multinational maritime security efforts with partners like United States Pacific Fleet, Royal Navy and Royal Canadian Navy.

Roles and Responsibilities

Clearance divers are tasked with underwater explosive ordnance disposal for legacy munitions from conflicts such as World War II shipwrecks and ordnance found in ports linked to incidents like the Sinking of HMAS Kuttabul. They conduct ship and submarine hull searches for sabotage relevant to visits by units such as HMAS Collins (SSG 73) and provide maritime counterterrorism support for high-value units including HMAS Canberra (L02) during port visits to partners like United States Seventh Fleet. Responsibilities extend to hydrographic reconnaissance ahead of amphibious operations involving units such as HMAS Adelaide (L01), maritime salvage of damaged platforms similar to USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG-58), and support to civilian agencies during flood recovery comparable to responses seen after Cyclone Yasi.

Organisation and Units

The Branch is organised into clearance diving teams and specialized elements embedded with fleet units such as those operating from Fleet Base East and Fleet Base West. Principal establishments include dive centres at HMAS Waterhen and HMAS Stirling with detachments aboard destroyers like HMAS Brisbane (DDG 41) and amphibious ships like HMAS Canberra (L02). Elements maintain liaison with joint organisations including Joint Task Force 633 and allied units such as United States Navy SEALs and UK Special Boat Service during combined training exercises.

Training and Selection

Selection mirrors rigorous pipelines akin to Australian Special Air Service Regiment selection standards with physical, psychological and technical phases. Initial recruitment follows completion of entry courses at Royal Australian Naval College pathways and then progresses through training at establishments influenced by methodologies from Diving School (Royal Navy) and United States Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center. Training covers closed-circuit diving, explosive ordnance disposal methods similar to doctrine used by NATO EOD units, and fast-roping and boarding techniques practised alongside Royal Australian Regiment amphibious ready groups.

Equipment and Techniques

Clearance divers employ mixed-gas rebreathers derived from designs used by COMSUBIN and Underwater Demolition Teams, remotely operated vehicles comparable to systems fielded by United States Navy mine countermeasure units, and portable explosive charges for controlled demolitions following standards seen in International Mine Action Standards. Surface support vessels range from purpose-built dive tenders to multi-role platforms like MV Sycamore used for littoral support. Techniques include mine-hunting using sonar procedures akin to AN/AQS-14 family systems, cutting and welding underwater mirroring commercial salvage practices from firms such as Smit Salvage, and improvised explosive ordnance risk mitigation consistent with International Maritime Organization guidance.

Operations and Deployments

Operational history spans seabed clearance after wartime wrecks from World War II in the Torres Strait, counter-IED and EOD tasks during stabilization missions like Operation Slipper in the Middle East, and humanitarian assistance after events similar to Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami relief. Joint exercises include interoperability trials with RIMPAC, combined mine countermeasure exercises with MCMFORNATO partners, and bilateral operations with United States Marine Corps amphibious forces. Divers have been forward-deployed on task groups responding to regional crises, working with agencies such as Australian Federal Police during port-security incidents and assisting civil maritime salvage coordinated with Australian Maritime Safety Authority.

Notable Personnel and Awards

Notable Clearance Divers have been recognised with honours such as the Victoria Cross for Australia-level acts (noting rarity), Conspicuous Service Cross awards, and unit citations similar to those presented during Operation Catalyst. Individual recipients have included decorated personnel who later served in joint commands with organisations like Australian Defence Force Academy or pursued roles in defence policy at institutions such as Department of Defence (Australia). Awards often reference courageous actions in incidents comparable to explosive ordnance disposal feats during the Vietnam War and lifesaving salvage operations reminiscent of Sydney–Hobart Yacht Race search and rescue efforts.

Category:Royal Australian Navy Category:Special forces of Australia Category:Explosive ordnance disposal units