On 19 August-3 September, Lithuanian Naval Force Vidar class ship "Jotvingis" and eight divers from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Diving unit take part in a joint Baltic seafloor mine-clearing exercise "Open Spirit 2011" which takes place in Latvian territorial waters, Irbe channel.
During this exercise "Jotvingis" N42 ship, where the headquarters are established, has to execute command post exercise functions. "Jotvingis" ship is responsible for fuel and water support to the ships participating in the exercise as well.
Divers from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Diving unit are searching for naval mines in the littoral zone. The team is also trying to identify and neutralize mines found during former exercise.
Naval Forces from eleven countries including 20 warships and three diving teams are attending the exercise, i.e. Great Britain, Estonia, USA, Latvia, Poland, Lithuania, Norway, France, Russia, Sweden, and Germany. More than 800 troops are participating in the exercise.
"Open Spirit 2011" aims at reducing the threat caused to safe navigation by naval mines and other unexploded ammunition remaining on the Baltic seafloor from WWI and WWII as well as post-war period.
International Baltic seafloor mine-clearing exercise "Open Spirit" is being conducted since 1998 every time in a different Baltic state.
Last year "Open Spirit 2010" was conducted in the exclusive economic zone and territorial waters of Lithuania in the Baltic Sea. During the exercise three diving teams and 16 warships from ten countries reconnoitered 85 sq. nautical miles. Seven explosives (naval mines, a torpedo, depth bombs, etc.) were detected and destroyed. The team has also transferred more than 30 anchor mines and 187 other objects to mark to the sea floor database.
More information is available at PR Officer Lt (N) Antanas Brencius at 00370 46 391 207 or cell phone 00370 698 18 196.
Photos by Normunds Mezins and Gatis Dieziņš, Military Representatives of Latvia
