NATO warships clearing mines from Lithuanian waters

  • 2008-05-06
  • In cooperation with BNS

VILNIUS - NATO's standby mine neutralization ships left the Lithuanian seaport of Klaipeda on Tuesdaymorning to start mine-search and neutralization activities in the country'sterritorial waters and the exceptional economic zone.

Other ships participating in this year's largest mine-clearing operation in Lithuanian territorial watersMCOPLIT-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 of13 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, aswell as improve capacities of ship crews, staff officers and leadership andpromote mutual understanding and cooperation of participating countries.

About 130 explosives dating back to World War I and World War II have beendetected, identified and neutralized in Lithuanianterritorial waters in the framework of MCOPLIT alone since 1996. Data collectedfrom the bottom of the Baltic Sea is used to updatetopographic information.