The Gibraltar Clearance Diving Element (CDE) has successfully joined forces with HMS  DAGGER to sail to Tangier and conduct a joint dive with the Royal Moroccan Navy, for the  very first time.  

A statement from British Forces Gibraltar follows below:

Operating a VAHANA-CLASS Diving Support Boat (DSB) nicknamed ‘CRABB’ from its  maritime call-sign, the team of five divers and one engineer transited across the Strait of  Gibraltar in company with HMS DAGGER.  

Deploying from HMNB Gibraltar on Friday 8 November, DSB CRABB was escorted by HMS  DAGGER and HMS CUTLASS before falling into station with HMS DAGGER and completing  the 40nm transit in just under three hours.  

On arrival into Tangier Marina, the CDE received a warm welcome from the members of the  Royal Moroccan Navy Diving School, berthing next to HMS DAGGER, in the heart of  Tangier Bay. Although still much to do on arrival, the Gibraltar CDE had already racked up  one success by demonstrating the reach of DSB CRABB. The 40nm transit is certainly the  longest transit that DSB CRABB has ever done and likely that any VAHANA-CLASS boat  has done in one go. Facing the weather and the heavy traffic density, DSB CRABB  professionally navigated her way to Africa.  

Deploying over the Remembrance Weekend, the Divers teamed up with HMS DAGGER to  attend a service held at St Andrew’s Church, co-ordinated by the British Embassy and  attended by the British, Australian and South African Ambassadors to Morocco. An annual  event typically supported by the Royal Navy Gibraltar Squadron; this year saw an impressive  13 sailors from British Forces Gibraltar attend the service.  

Following on from a remarkable Remembrance Service, it was time for the Gibraltar  Clearance Diving Element (CDE) to start preparing for the first joint-diving exercise with  Morocco. Hosted at Ksar Sghir, a Moroccan Military Port some 30km to the East of Tangier  Bay, the team of five divers deployed to conduct a familiarisation visit and joint exercise.  

On arrival, the team were met by Commander Mounir Tamim, the Commandant of the Royal Moroccan Navy Diving School. Following introductions and an exchange of gifts, the divers  were given a tour of the impressive Diving School, including their current equipment,  hyperbaric compression chamber and future capabilities. 

Lt Cdr Davies RN, the Officer with Tactical Conduct of HMS DAGGER and the CDE and a  Clearance Diver by trade said: “The level of hospitality we have received from the Moroccan  Dive School has been incredible. What is immediately obvious is how similarly our nations  operate, the potential that exists and the mutual benefit to both nations in continuing to work  together. I am confident this will be the first of many joint exercises with Morocco and now  we have proven how far DSB CRABB can go, other neighbouring nations.” 

Co-ordinating the serial, a thorough dive brief was delivered by Lt Zazdi of the Moroccan  Navy which would see two divers from each nation conduct a joint search for an ammunition  tin, within the harbour. Suiting up shortly after the brief, the divers entered the water wearing  SCUBA apparatus and left surface, commencing the search in a circular pattern. Such is the  professionalism of both nations, the tin was found within minutes. Not ones to shy away from  a photo opportunity, the divers surfaced to collect both the British and Moroccan flags,  submerging again to take the well renowned ‘underwater flag photo.’ 

CPO Roberts, the Officer in Charge of the Gibraltar Clearance Diving Element said: “I am  delighted the CDE was able to train with our counterparts from the Moroccan Dive School,  the training and discussions were well received by both teams, and I am looking forward to  this being the start of a longstanding relationship.” 

On completion of the diving, the team were hosted to a lunch by Commander Tamim which  included discussions of how the two nations would look to operate together in the future, with  early plans in place for Gibraltar to reciprocate the invitation and host their Moroccan  counterparts in 2025.  

Setting sail the same day to avoid inclement weather, HMS DAGGER and DSB CRABB  returned to HMNB Gibraltar, escorted by other elements of the Royal Navy Gibraltar  Squadron.