Defence team heads to Kiribati to dispose of suspected WWII sea mine

A team of ADF personnel has headed to the Pacific Island nation of Kiribati to dispose of a suspected World War II sea mine.

The object was discovered beneath a sunken vessel that is being salvaged by commercial operators in Betio Lagoon, South Tarawa.

Six Royal Australian Navy clearance divers and a support team are flying to the island nation on a Royal Australian Air Force C-130J Hercules aircraft.

They have deployed at the request of the Kiribati Government following the discovery of the object, which may date back to World War II.

The object is lying in nine metres of water and is being removed as a precaution as the lagoon is extensively used by cargo ships, ferries and fishing boats.

Clearance Diving Team Leader Chief Petty Officer Shaun Elliott said it was not yet clear what state the object is in.

“We will conduct a reconnaissance of the object to determine its origins and best method of disposal,” he said.

“My team is well practised in dealing with old munitions and our approach will be carefully assessed before any removal and demolition occurs.”

The disposal activity is being conducted as part of Operation Render Safe – the ADF’s enduring commitment to the removal of Explosive Remnants of War which continue to pose a potential danger to communities across the Pacific.

A photo of the suspected mine is available at: http://images.defence.gov.au/S20141654.

Media contact:
Defence Media Operations (02) 6127 1999