|9
The final weeks of the course included underwater demolitions and allowed the students to put their new skills
to the test. In a specially designed underwater range, they
practised placing explosives on mine-shaped objects, beach
obstructions, bridge and pier supports, and underwater
chains and cables.
The course finished mid-August, and each of the nine
students was awarded the clearance diver dolphin badge
at a graduation ceremony held at the fleet diving unit. S/
Lt Mulcahy was awarded top student on the course and
received his award from Deputy Commander Canadian Fleet
Pacific, Captain Bradley Peats. Serving and retired clearance
divers were present at the ceremony, and welcomed the
nine students into the trade in the traditional way, by having
them take their newly pinned dolphins for a swim!
S/Lt Mulcahy, who says he found the 12-month course
exhausting but a fantastic experience, has returned to
the Naval Base where he looks forward to using his newly
learned skills in the Naval Service Diving Section. He is
part of a
unique
team
whose
main roles
include
search and
recovery,
underwater survey,
EOD, underwater
engineering and
military
diving
training.
www.military.ie the defence forces magazine
