Clearance Diving Team 3: Vietnam
The 7th Contingent of Royal Australian Navy Clearance Diving Team 3. Blue is seated in the centre front row, with Kershler to his left. Kingston is first in the back row.
Photographer unknown, P01620.003
The threat of improvised, remote detonated mines was one of the dangers faced by Royal Australian Navy clearance divers in Vietnam. In 1970, Viet Cong divers secretly laid explosives near USS Meeker County in Vung Tau Harbour.
Luckily they were spotted and Australian clearance divers moved the explosives to a safer location to be more closely examined later that morning. However, the explosives unexpectedly detonated. Fortunately no vessel or people were nearby at the time.
An improvised snorkel used by Viet Cong sappers laying explosives near USS Meeker County, found near the ship. The two balls on the end of the line are inserted in the nostrils.
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