Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 11:35

Bomb disposal aboard warships

A question on shipboard bomb disposal leads to the roles of diving teams, weapons officers, and ammunition specialists.

Explosive Ordnance DisposalFalklands WarFleet Divers
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Question

Who handled bomb disposal on warships?

Short answer

Fleet diving teams were central, supported aboard ship by weapons and ammunition specialists; the Falklands War shows the importance of the diving units.

Notes

Fleet diving teams were especially important for bomb disposal. A ship's weapons officer and ammunition specialists could also perform the work aboard. The roles overlap because unexploded weapons can demand both ordnance knowledge and underwater access. The Falklands War showed the importance of fleet diving units in practice.