A team of four divers from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit of the Armed Forces of Malta were in Augusta, Sicily earlier this month for seven days to conduct combined training with Italian Navy Divers.

Such training was organised as preparation for Exercise Canale 2005 which will be held next month. The team returned to Malta last Friday on board the Italian Navy Patrol Craft Comandante Foscari.

The divers practised searching techniques, underwater explosive ordnance disposal and underwater search and rescue and/or recovery. This training not only allowed the divers to share knowledge and procedures, but also helped to build up a strong working relation between the two Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams.

Exercise Canale is an annual live exercise organised between Malta and Italy. Its aim is to promote cooperation, security and peace in the Mediterranean by conducting naval and air operations involving Units from the Maltese and Italian Armed Forces and other invited nations from the Mediterranean littoral.