History

Although diving in the RAN dates back to the 1920s when personnel were trained in the use of ‘standard’ diving equipment, the concept of a separate and dedicated diving branch of the Navy evolved slowly.

The Clearance Diving Branch of the Royal Australian Navy was formed in 1951 with the primary role of “location. identification and disposal of Mines underwater”. It’s secondary role included “underwater maintenance, training of the Fleet in ship defence against saboteurs, beach reconnaissance and minor salvage”.

Although Explosive Ordnance Disposal remained a primary function it soon became apparent that Navy divers were suited to an ever expanding variety of tasks.

The Clearance Diving Branch has continued to evolve. In 1966 the RAN introduced the concept of the Australian Clearance Diving Teams. In that same year AUSCDT 3 was formed and trained in all aspects of EOD (Explosive Ordnance Demolition), small arms and jungle survival before going to Vietnam where they served with distinction.

The diving school was initially located at HMAS Rushcutter on Sydney harbour and remained there until 1968 when it was relocated to HMAS Penguin, also situated on Sydney Harbour. Although the Navy divers adopted the new role from 1951, it wasn’t until 1955 that the first dedicated CD course qualified utilising rebreathing and mixture diving equipment.

During 1961 the first RAN trained CD officers qualified from Rushcutter and at the beginning of 1962 the branch numbered 51 officers and sailors.

During the formative years leading up to the Branch’s baptism of fire in ’67, CDs developed their “can do easy” attitude performing a diverse range of diving, EOD and salvage related tasks. With obsolete equipment and limited support from the Naval command structure, CDs had to develop and hone their skills ‘in house’. This necessitated an extreme level of improvisation which led to developing skills and breeding an independence in the Clearance Diving Branch which makes the Australian Clearance Diver of today quite unique in the world of Military Diving.

Service in Vietnam changed the way RAN CDs saw themselves and perhaps more importantly, highly complimentary reports from our American allies began to open the eyes of senior RAN officers to the high level of professionalism of the Aussie CD. They had worked alongside the largest and most powerful Military force in the world and fought against the world’s most committed and resourceful guerrilla soldier. And in this company they were not found wanting.

The Viet Cong (VC) put a price on their heads and the US increasingly used them in roles outside their core training – a testament to their skills and growing professionalism.

After Vietnam the role of the Branch and the Teams became more clearly defined. As well as serving with the fleet in sea-going berths, there are now two AUSCD Teams. AUSCDT-One, based in Sydney, and AUSCDT-Four, based near Perth, in Western Australia.

Each team is a self-contained, highly mobile unit consisting of about sixty personnel. Within each team there are three distinct elements: Underwater Battle Damage Repair (UBDR); Mine Counter-Measures (MCM); and Maritime Tactical Operations (MTO), with Team members receiving instruction in all three disciplines.

UBDR are trained in the use of pneumatic and hydraulic tools and carry out salvage and emergency repair work in wartime situations. MCM is concerned with the disposal of disarming of mines and explosive ordnance, including IED (Improvised Explosive Devices) as favoured by terrorists. MTO carry out amphibious reconnaissance and are skilled in Escape and Evasion Techniques.

Today’s CDs still carry out all of the original roles formulated back in 1951. Since the early ’80s they have continued to expand their commitment to the highly specialised ‘Maritime Tactical Operations’ role.