15 December 2014
Upon request of the mine action community through the IMAS Review Board, the GICHD, in consultation with a group of experts, drafted a new IMAS 09.60 to address underwater survey and clearance of explosive ordnance (EO). Conflicts, wars and hasty post-war dumping over the last century have left our global waters littered with EO. Environmental factors such as rains and floods have also contributed to the problem by washing mines and ERW into rivers, lakes and other bodies of water. Proactive approaches are instituted in this standard to mitigate the risks of underwater EO and their associated socio-economic and environmental impact.
Until recently, national militaries have maintained almost exclusive expertise in clearing underwater EO. Today, however, different types of organisations, such as non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and a wider range of commercial companies are clearing these hazards. IMAS 09.60 establishes basic principles and requirements for underwater EO survey and clearance activities. The IMAS is now approved by the IMAS Review Board and available to be read and applied by the mine action community. This standard will assist national mine action authorities in the development of national policy and standards along with providing basic guidance to underwater survey and clearance organisations in the development of standard operating procedures (SOPs).
New IMAS 09.60 | Underwater Survey and Clearance of Explosive Ordnance
Category: International Mine Action standards