By Cmdr. Daryl Borgquist, Commander Task Force 73 Public Affairs
Divers from the United States and Indonesian Navies began a six-day diving operation July 21 to survey a wreck in Surabaya harbor as part of joint naval engagement activities (NEA) between the two nations.
A joint diving team will conduct survey dives to identify the sunken vessel and determine potential salvage hazards such as fuel, explosives and dangerous cargo. Once the survey is complete, the diving teams will develop an underwater mechanical demolition plan to raise the vessel and remove it from the harbor.
The joint diving team consists of a detachment of 12 divers from Mobile Diving Salvage Unit 1, based in and embarked on USNS Safeguard (T-ARS 50), and an Indonesian Navy (TNI) team of 16 divers embarked on a salvage barge.
Safeguard is one of four ships participating in this year's NEA with . Other ships include USS Tortuga (LSD 46), USS Jarrett (FFG 33) and USS Ford (FFG 54).
NEA is part of an annual series of bilateral maritime training exercises between the and several Southeast Asian nations designed to build relationships and enhance the operational readiness of the participating forces.