A clearance diver was originally a specialist naval diver who used explosives underwater to remove obstructions to make harbours and shipping channels safe to navigate, but the term "clearance diver" was later used to include other naval underwater work. Units of clearance divers were first formed during and after World War II to clear ports and harbours in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe of unexploded ordnance and shipwrecks and booby traps laid by the Germans. In some navies, including the Royal Navy, work divers, which includes ship's divers, must have a lifeline and a line tender when reasonably practicable. History The first units were Royal Navy Mine and Bomb Disposal Units. They were succeeded by the "Port Clearance Parties" (P Parties). The first operations by P Parties included clearing away the debris of unexploded ammunition left during the Normandy Invasion. During World War II Navies used the heavy surface-supplied standard diving dress before changing to lighter self-contained rebreather equipment. Training Admission to clearance diver training requires the candidate to pass medical and physical fitness screening and to be a member of the relevant military force. Scope of activity The scope of activity for a clearance diver varies depending on the specific armed force in which they are a member, but historically the most defining competence is skills in underwater demolition using explosives. The closely associated skills in explosive ordnance disposal are also generally implied by the designation. Nations with clearance diving groups Africa Egypt South Africa Asia Europe Denmark: Søværnets Minørtjeneste (EOD clearance diving unit) Estonia: EOD Tuukrigrupp (EOD clearance diver unit) France: The French Navy clearance divers are known as plongeurs démineurs. The French Army also has clearance divers named plongeurs de combat du génie that operate in freshwater environments. Although they are trained in demolition and explosives clearance, they also survey river banks and possible crossing areas. Germany: Minentaucher is Germany's clearance diver force Ireland (Republic of): Naval Service Diving Section (NSDS) Norway: Minedykkerkommandoen Norway's naval work divers and clearance diver force. Portugal: the Sappers Divers Group, which also serve as combat divers unit. Sweden: Röjdykare, Swedish Navy EOD division United Kingdom Royal Navy naval work divers are officially called Clearance Divers. During WWII divers used the Davis Submerged Escape Apparatus (DSEA), no wetsuit or swimfins. On 17 December 1942, six Italian divers on three manned torpedoes attacked Gibraltar harbour. A British patrol boat killed the crew of