The 2 World Wars have lengthy since ended, however they're nonetheless making their presence felt on Belgium's coast. Mines particularly nonetheless current a hazard to delivery and beachgoers.
However Belgian authorities now have a brand new instrument at their disposal of their hunt for explosives: an underwater drone known as Remus.
The yellow submarine-looking craft is ready to discover and map shallow waters the place standard ships can't go.
On the Belgian naval base of Zeebrugge, a group of demining specialists have been testing its sonar capabilities.
Bruno Lecoq, Head of the Mine Warfare Unit, mentioned they can inform if "we discovered an echo on the sonar picture that appears suspicious" or not.
"So relying on sure standards, we attribute a classification to it. And based mostly on that, we determine whether or not it`s vital to research on location to find out whether or not the detected object is a doubtlessly explosive machine or not," he mentioned.
Hundreds of mines nonetheless on the coast
Between 100,000 and 300,000 mines are estimated to stay on the 65 km of Belgian shoreline, left there the First and Second World Wars. The primary goal at the moment is to safe the ports and seashores.
Marie-France Godeau, a Belgian Navy Officer, mentioned that mines are literally a historic risk, "because of the sheer variety of mines and bombs which were dropped in our waters in Europe through the two world wars. However sadly additionally they represent a gift risk".
With rising worldwide tensions, Belgium's European neighbours are watching their minehunting expertise with curiosity.
Six specifically outfitted Remus ships are anticipated to be delivered to Belgium by 2030.
**For extra on this story, watch our report within the media participant above.
**
Post a Comment