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NATO warships clearing mines from Lithuanian waters VILNIUS - NATO's standby mine neutralization ships left the Lithuanian seaport of Klaipeda on Tuesday morning to start mine-search and neutralization activities in the country's territorial waters and the exceptional economic zone. Other ships participating in this year's largest mine-clearing operation in Lithuanian territorial waters MCOPLIT-2008 held on May 3-16 are scheduled to start work on Wednesday, the Lithuanian Defence Ministry said. The operation involves navy representatives from eight countries, a total of 13 teams of warships and divers are expected to take part in the manoeuvres. The main purpose of the operation is to ensure safe navigation in the Baltic Sea - examine the sea bottom and remove dangerous articles, as well as improve capacities of ship crews, staff officers and leadership and promote mutual understanding and cooperation of participating countries. About 130 explosives dating back to World War I and World War II have been detected, identified and neutralized in Lithuanian territorial waters in the framework of MCOPLIT alone since 1996. Data collected from the bottom of the Baltic Sea is used to update topographic information. |
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