The home of Royal Navy Diving could have been a scene from the Robert DeNiro and Cuba Gooding Jr film “Men of Honour”, where Reserve Diving Group (RDG) conducted their final training activity.
After final administration and briefings there was an opportunity for the team to conduct a Tri-dive under the auspices of the Historical Dive Society on a volunteer basis, so the team could have a final dive at Horsea Island lake. The Historical Diving Society are a group of enthusiasts whose aim is to preserve and protect diving heritage and is a registered charity.
The team dived the Standard Diving Equipment which the helmet has been the branch badge of the RN and RNR Branch. It was a fitting end to RDG’s service by supporting various niche diving activities.
The Royal Navy has an obligation to regularly review the Operational Capabilities provided by the Maritime Reserves and these remain under constant review in order to focus on the frontline and deliver value for money by maximising efficiencies. The divers of the Royal Naval Reserve Diving Branch have added considerable value to the Royal Navy and Defence over the years, but the Regular Service can now assume responsibility for the tasks previously undertaken by the Reserve divers.
Reserve Diving Group have since 2017 had a x 12-man team continually on High Readiness Reserves (HRR) supporting NATO Submarine Rescue System, Transfer Under Pressure System (TUP) which supports SMERAS for UK, France and Norway. RDG provided 60% of the UK component of personnel along with Fleet Diving Squadron (now named Diving & Threat Exploitation Group (DTXG). RDG have been the only RNR unit on HRR duties.
Captain Peter Laughton MBE Head Military Diving Capability Cell (MDCC) visited the team at Horsea Island to thank RDG on their great and valued contribution to Royal Navy Diving.
All eligible personnel have been offered alternative employment within the new Maritime Reserve General Warfare Branch to continue their Reserve Service.
Commander Richard “Soapy” Watson SO1 RNR Diving Policy said “It has been a true Honour to serve with such a fine team of highly capable divers who have remained fully committed to their responsibilities. This weekend has been a celebration of our capability where we showed true resilience to the RN, especially during the pandemic.
Reserve Diving Group was disestablished on 01 Apr 22.
