Britain's inland waterways were not insulated from mine warfare. Aircraft could release naval mines toward a canal or river and miss, leaving an unfamiliar device embedded in a building or on dry ground. London therefore needed naval bomb-disposal expertise as well as Army and RAF teams, because the service responsible depended on the weapon rather than where it happened to land.
Notable Point · 2:01:43-2:03:03
Canal mines brought naval bomb disposal onto dry land
German mines aimed at rivers and canals sometimes landed in streets, houses, or factories, requiring naval specialists to work alongside Army and RAF disposal teams.