Clearance Divers Group of the 12th Wolin Minehunters Division

The Clearance Divers Group is a specialized subunit of the 12th Wolin Minehunters Division, responsible for detecting, neutralizing, and destroying explosives, mines, and IEDs on both land and underwater.

Mission and Responsibilities:

The main tasks of the Diver-Miner Group include:

1. Location, identification, and neutralization of underwater weaponry in ports, port channels, and waterways, in cooperation with Mine Countermeasures Forces (MCM);
2. Location, identification, and neutralization of explosive and hazardous military-origin objects (UXO) and improvised explosive devices (IED), considering CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear) mass destruction threats, in ports, port channels, waterways, and anchorage areas.
3. Support for engineering units in clearing water areas of explosive and hazardous military-origin objects and improvised explosive devices (IED), as well as CBRN-related threats, within the designated area of responsibility.
4. Location, identification, and neutralization of improvised explosive devices (IED), taking into account CBRN mass destruction threats in ports, critical infrastructure elements, and on board of vessels.
5. Conducting Explosive Ordnance Reconnaissance (EOR) in maritime areas, port infrastructure, and critical facilities for potential mines, to support national and allied forces security.

History:

The Clearance Divers Group was established in December 1969 by the order of the Commander of the Polish Navy and joined the 14th Mine Countermeasures Squadron. Its task was to secure mining operations along Poland's coasts, removing unexploded ordnance (UXO) from WWII. The first commander of the group was Lieutenant Commander Robert Woźnicki. In 1985, the group became part of the 42nd Squadron of Auxiliary Vessels, and since 1988, it has been part of the 12th Mine Countermeasures Squadron.
On September 14, 2009, the name has changed, and its structure was updated to include the Mine Team, Mine Warfare Team, EOD Section, and Technical Team.
 

Neutralized and transferred for destruction since establishment.

1. 1. 3 torpedoes;
   2. 1,100 depth charges;
   3. 230 air-dropped bombs, including the D.P. 12,000-lb.Bomb „Tallboy” deflagrated in 13.10.2020
   4. Over 100,000 artillery shells;
   5. 25 sea and land mines;
   6. Over 6,000 fuses.

Future:

The Clearance Divers Group remains an integral part of the 12th Mine Countermeasures Squadron, which performs mine defense tasks. Its duties include, among others, searching for, detecting, and destroying mines, securing water areas, and defending ships against mine-related threats. An important next step in the group's development will be the commissioning of three new Kormoran-class ships between 2026 and 2028, which will significantly enhance the group's capabilities in searching for and neutralizing maritime threats. The new vessels will allow for more advanced mine countermeasure operations at sea, and the Clearance Divers Group will gain new tools and capabilities for detecting and destroying sea mines.

The Diver-Miners Group is a key subdivision in Poland's mine countermeasure service, ensuring the safety of maritime and land areas by neutralizing