Items from The News, Navy News and Warship World are reproduced by kind permission of David Brown, Jim Allaway and Mike Critchley respectively. Click on the thumbnails to enlarge them.
30 Sep 2003 - RN CDs Search for WMD in Iraq
The following item from today's Portsmouth News features MCDOA member Paul Jones and describes recent RN Clearance Diving Unit activities in Iraq.
17 Sep 2003 - RN Divers' Reunion in Glasgow
Booking details for the RN Divers' Reunion to be held in Glasgow on 22 Nov 03 are now available on the Upcoming Events page of the Members Only area of the website.
16 Sep 2003 - Previous Salvage Attempts on the Mary Rose
The following item from today's Portsmouth News features MCDOA Vice Chairman Rob Hoole and describes the use of pioneering diving methods during previous attempts to salvage the Mary Rose.
15 Sep 2003 - 73rd Thames Sailing Barge Match
The first Thames Sailing Barge match took place in 1863 - the most recent in 2003. A web site has been set up by MCDOA member Mike Wignall to record the match. It includes colour photos of the barges that took part in the race (the oldest was built 112 years ago), brief histories of each barge and captions describing the match action. No collisions occurred at this year's match but there was one grounding!
10 Sep 2003 - Cattistock in the News again
The following item from today's Portsmouth News describes attempts by HMS Cattistock to put out a fire on board a catamaran in the Channel.
6 Sep 2003 - SDU2 in Action
The following items from today's Portsmouth News and September's Navy News describe the respective disposals of a torpedo section (featuring MCDOA member Dave Welch) and a bomb by SDU2.
1 Sep 2003 - News of Cattistock & Inverness
The following items from the September issue of Navy News describe the 21st anniversary of HMS Cattistock (featuring MCDOA member Bertie Armstrong and Richard 'Soapy' Watson) and the participation of HMS Inverness and others in Exercise Northern Lights.
26 Aug 2003 - New VEMS mines purchased by MOD
The following item from today's Portsmouth News describes the purchase of 11 Versatile Exercise Mine System (VEMS) mines by the MOD.
20 Aug 2003 - Social News
For all our friends in the North, an all-ranks RN Divers' reunion is to be held on 22 Nov 03 in Glasgow and an all-ranks RN Divers' reunion is being organised by the Association of RN First Class Divers for 11 Jun 04 in Portsmouth. Also, don't forget to keep your diaries clear for the MCDOA AGM at Horsea Island and the Annual Dinner at Whale Island on 14 Nov 03. Further details about these functions are available on the Upcoming Events page of the Members Only area of the website.
8 Aug 2003 - Announcement by Geoff Goodwin - OIC Joint Services Adventurous Sail Training Centre (JSASTC)
It has recently been agreed that JSASTC will fund the cost of travel for those personnel without whom certain expeditions would not be possible. This will be achieved at no cost to the Crown and will be for a trial period of 6 months.
This applies to Service personnel acting as Skippers and Mates who are taking part in JSASTC sponsored expeditions where foreign travel is necessary to/from the STC. In some cases this will extend to part of the cost of travel for Watch Leaders. This currently applies to personnel required for “Afterguard” in Exercise CANARY GOLD.
Full details can be obtained from the Training Officer JSASTC on 9380 65416/02392 765416 or the Exercise CANARY GOLD Project Officer on 9352 32466/011791 32466.
5 Aug 2003 - Operation Telic/Desert Scorpion
The following items from the August issue of Navy News describe Gulf-related MCM and CD activity (Return to UK of HMS Bangor and HMS Sandown plus tribute to MCM Forces by Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon).
4 Aug 2003 - Operation Telic/Desert Scorpion - MCMVs' Safe Return to UK
The following item from today's Portsmouth News describes the welcome return to Portsmouth of HMS Ledbury, HMS Grimsby, HMS Ramsey and HMS Shoreham.
2 Aug 2003 - Operation Telic/Desert Scorpion - Latest Addition to MCM Flotilla
The following item from today's Portsmouth News describes HMS Richmond's role in thwarting Saddam's mine-laying plans.
1 Aug 2003 - Operation Telic/Desert Scorpion - MCMVs Return to UK
Maritime Books reports that HM Ships Ledbury, Grimsby, Shoreham and Ramsey return to Portsmouth at about 0800 on Monday 4 Aug. Ledbury and Grimsby have been away since January and Shoreham and Ramsey since March. Ledbury and Grimsby played a key role in clearing the approaches to Umm Qasr for military supplies and humanitarian aid carrying vessels. Grimsby was also involved in the search for the two Sea Kings which crashed whilst flying from Ark Royal. Shoreham carried out ordnance disposal work and it is reported that a highlight for Ramsey was a visit from Mr Tony Blair.
29 Jul 2003 - More Good News about MCDOA Members
MCDOA member Tony Watt has been appointed in Command of HMS Ramsey to date 27 Jul 03 and MCDOA member Dave Bence has been appointed in Command of HMS Inverness to date 19 Aug 03. Belated congratulations to both of them.
24 Jul 2003 - Operation Telic/Desert Scorpion - Returning MCMVs' 'Rowathon' in Valetta
The following item from today's Portsmouth News describes Gulf-related MCM and CD activity (Charity 'Rowathon' by HMS Ledbury, HMS Grimsby, HMS Ramsey and HMS Shoreham in Valetta, Malta en route back to UK).
4 Jul 2003 - Operation Telic/Desert Scorpion - MCM UORs
The following article features MCDOA member Stuart McAlear and describes MCM equipment developed and deployed for Op Telic as the result of Urgent Operational Requirements (UORs). It appeared in the July 2003 issue of Warship World and is reproduced by kind permission of the editor (Mike Critchley) and the author (Richard Scott).
Warship World (Tel: 01579 343663) is produced by Maritime Books which has a web site at www.navybooks.com and produces a free weekly naval news service.
