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Divers showcase knowledge and equipment during visit by Honorary Officers
12 March 2025
The latest technology and equipment used by Royal Navy divers on global operations was on display during a visit by Honorary Officers.
Remotely-operated vehicles, systems used to locate and identify underwater threats and different diving apparatus was all on show to guests to the Diving and Threat Exploitation Group (DTXG), on Horsea Island, Portsmouth.
Royal Navy and Royal Marines Honorary Officers, including adventurer and Honorary Colonel Bear Grylls, former Defence Secretary and Honorary Captain Penny Mordaunt, explorer and Honorary Colonel Dwayne Fields, record-breaking sailor and Honorary Captain Sir Robin Knox-Johnston and former journalist and Honorary Commodore Stephen Watson were given an insight into the diving branch and the variety of missions and deployments they carry out around the world.
Personnel from the branch discussed the different roles they have within the Royal Navy, from deploying with warships for underwater force protection to dealing with historic ordnance around the UK.
The guests were also told about the discreet activity divers do in the Naval Special Operations arena and the maintenance of the UK’s submarines and surface flotilla.
A display at Horsea Island’s lake also showed how they are the experts in not just underwater threats such as mines but also shore-based explosive ordnance disposal.
Captain Ben Vickery, Head of Military Diving Capability and the Mine Clearance Diving Branch Champion, said: “We want to get our message out there to the broader community about what the Diving Branch is and what we do.
“It’s a great opportunity for young men and women to come and have a really successful career.
“We have got a really good story to tell and today’s visit was about opening ourselves up to the Honorary Officers and hoping they get a flavour of what the Diving Branch does both in the UK and abroad.”
It’s a great opportunity for young men and women to come and have a really successful career
Alpha Squadron walked the guests through the different equipment they use in their roles in Assault Explosive Ordnance Disposal.
They explained what breathing apparatus they use and how it sustains them for long endurance shallow diving.
Next up, Delta Squadron showcased the technology and kit they use to help keep them out of harm’s way during missions. Various land-based and maritime remotely-operated vehicles were on show which can be used to identify and feedback information on a possible explosive device and, in some circumstances, have weapons on board to deal with that threat.
Having this equipment means sailors from Delta Squadron can assess the threat without putting themselves within range of being injured, before carrying out a disposal plan that might involve the diver placing a weapon adjacent to the device in remarkable underwater dexterity.
In the UK, Bravo Squadron are on call to deal with any explosive threats from historic mines found in dredging operations to unexploded air-dropped bombs .
They gave a run through to the Honorary Officers on how they would tackle a threat and the kit they use – including the wearing of protective equipment (bomb suit) designed to provide some protection to the operator which imposes a real physical challenge.
Commander Rory Armstrong, Commanding Officer of DTXG, said: "It's a privilege to show a little of what we do to such an esteemed audience and a real opportunity to reflect on the shared qualities that have made Honorary Officers experts in their fields while we strive for similar excellence in ours.
"I hope today showed the vital role played by clearance divers and their supporting staff in keeping the UK public safe and delivering globally on operations."