Minehunter Sakala Aids Clearance Operation in Latvia
Estonia's Shadow-class minehunter EML Sakala and a three-member diving team are taking part in an international operation to detect and dispose of dangerous World War II relics found in Latvian territorial waters.
Diving teams from nine other European countries are also participating in operation Open Spirit, which takes place in the Irbe Strait from August 19 to September 3.
"The annually-held international operation helps keep our skills fresh and accurate, and test, in practice, our readiness to find mines," said the Sakala's commanding officer Lt. Erkki Silm.
Last year the operation, which takes place solely in the Baltic states, was conducted in Lithuania, while in 2009 sections of Estonia's waters were cleared of explosive remnants. The first Open Spirit was held in 1997 and was conducted by the German Navy.
Ingrid Teesalu