Post by meo4 on Mar 7, 2014 18:12:46 GMT 12
Navy divers are trying to deactivate four unexploded World War II mines that were discovered in waters off the Whangaparaoa Peninsula.
Japanese and US dive teams found the devices by chance 30 metres below sea level during a training exercise this week.
While they aren't thought to be highly dangerous, they could pose a threat to people using the harbour.
"During World War II, New Zealand set a defensive mine pattern out here," says Trevor Leslie, Lieutenant Commander of the Navy Dive.
"These mines were swept in 1944 and sunk to the bottom of the ocean.
"Since then technology has advanced and they're now within the range of civilian divers and boaties. So we're just out here making sure everything is safe for everybody."
Explosives were placed all around New Zealand during World War Two to protect the country from foreign invasion.
tvnz.co.nz/national-news/world-war-2-mines-found-off-auckland-video-5860374
tvnz.co.nz/national-news/unexploded-ww2-mines-found-off-auckland-video-5859663
Japanese and US dive teams found the devices by chance 30 metres below sea level during a training exercise this week.
While they aren't thought to be highly dangerous, they could pose a threat to people using the harbour.
"During World War II, New Zealand set a defensive mine pattern out here," says Trevor Leslie, Lieutenant Commander of the Navy Dive.
"These mines were swept in 1944 and sunk to the bottom of the ocean.
"Since then technology has advanced and they're now within the range of civilian divers and boaties. So we're just out here making sure everything is safe for everybody."
Explosives were placed all around New Zealand during World War Two to protect the country from foreign invasion.
tvnz.co.nz/national-news/world-war-2-mines-found-off-auckland-video-5860374
tvnz.co.nz/national-news/unexploded-ww2-mines-found-off-auckland-video-5859663