TWO Australian minesweepers have been deployed to Tuvalu to determine the extent of explosives from World War II in Nanumea Lagoon.
The HMAS Yarra and Diamantina, with the support vessel ADV Reliant, will conduct the survey operation as part of Operation Render Safe using clearance divers.
After the survey, Tuvalu will receive information about the extent of explosive remnants, mostly dumped in the lagoon by United States forces after World War II.
Nanumea in northwest Tuvalu was a US bomber base with a 1.5 kilometer long airstrip used for reconnaissance and early bombing campaigns against Japanese bases in the Gilbert and Marshall Islands.
At the height of operations in 1943, Nanumea was home to 2300 Americans. The locals were moved to nearby Lakena Atoll.
Lieutenant Commander Andrew Penfold said his crew were eager to help make Nanumea Lagoon a safer place for people of Tuvalu.
“This is a significant deployment for the crew,” Penfold said.
“Australia has been working with Pacific partners for over 20 years under Operation Render Safe, and we are proud to be the latest to contribute to the safety of the Pacific region.”
