This new underwater drone is helping to clear unexploded World War mines along Belgium’s coast

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 transport and beachgoers.

However Belgian authorities now have a brand new instrument at their disposal of their hunt for explosives: an underwater drone referred to as Remus. 

The yellow submarine-looking craft is ready to discover and map shallow waters the place typical ships can’t go.

On the Belgian naval base of Zeebrugge, a workforce of demining consultants 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 primarily based on that, we determine whether or not it`s mandatory to analyze 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 immediately 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 have been dropped in our waters in Europe throughout 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 geared up Remus ships are anticipated to be delivered to Belgium by 2030.

**For extra on this story, watch our report within the media participant above.
**