'Resounding success' as Royal Navy divers on HMS Tamer detonate 3.5 tonnes of explosives in Pitcairn Islands
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Operations took place on one the most isolated places in the world
Dangerous explosives were detonated by Royal Navy divers on one of the least populated islands in the world.
Personnel aboard HMS Tamar, an offshore patrols vessel deployed to the Pacific, carried out operations on Pitcairn Islands. More than 3.5 tonnes of ordnances were eliminated on the tiny British Overseas Territory - home to only 38 residents and is considered one the most isolated places in the world.
Lieutenant Commander Jim Langley, Executive Officer of HMS Tamar, is in temporary command of the ship and in overall command of the operation. He said: “Tamar’s time in Pitcairn has been rewarding and hugely productive.
“Our primary task – for a team of Royal Navy divers to safely dispose of historic explosive ammonium nitrate – was a resounding success. Alongside this, the ship’s company threw themselves into supporting the local community as well as experiencing the island and its unique character.
“We enjoyed a very warm welcome and kind hospitality throughout and it was great to see sailors and islanders working side by side. Pitcairn is a beautiful and unique destination, so it is a privilege to be able to bring the ship to its remote shores and patrol the UK’s most distant Exclusive Economic Zone.”
The vast majority of islanders live in the east of Pitcairn by Bounty Bay, named after the famous ship whose mutineers settled the island and whose descendants make up most of the current population. HMS Tamar conducted her last visit in 2024. Sailors found 3.5 tonnes of high explosive ammonium nitrate stored in the north of the Island, which required a specialist team and equipment to remove.
An eight-strong Bravo Diving Unit II from the Royal Navy’s Diving & Threat Exploitation Group (DTXG) - based in Portsmouth and Plymouth - completed a series of controlled detonations. Lieutenant Commander Callum Clarke, Officer in Charge of Bravo Diving Unit II, said: “This operation will be a career highlight for me and all the members of my team.
“We are normally held at immediate notice for bomb disposal duties across the South of the UK, so travelling to such a remote and beautiful Pacific island has been a real privilege and adventure. Other than a short thunderstorm the conditions throughout were perfect and the operation went very smoothly. We had incredible support from HMS Tamar’s ship’s company and the Pitcairn residents who even hosted us for dinner one evening.”
Sailors completed various community outreach projects for the residents. They assisted in building work for a community centre, cleared local infrastructure, and repaired solar panels. A banquet was hosted for the ship’s company in Adamstown square, with personnel given a tour of the island.
Her Excellency Ms Iona Thomas, the Governor of the Pitcairn Islands, said: “The successful disposal of these explosives highlights the critical role the Royal Navy plays in supporting the UK’s Overseas Territories, no matter how remote.
“This operation has removed a potential environmental and safety hazard, while reinforcing the UK’s commitment to protecting Pitcairn’s unique marine and natural environment. I thank HMS Tamar and the diving team for their exceptional work and continued support.”
Rachael Midlen, the island’s administrator, added: “It’s been great to welcome the Royal Navy back to Pitcairn for the third time in four years. The Island shares a deep bond with the Navy that comes not only from the history of HMS Bounty but from the maritime security operations supporting our important Marine Protected Area.”
HMS Tamar was also tasked with patrolling the island’s Exclusive Economic Zone, where no fishing is allowed. They were supported by the UK Marine Management Organisation’s Global Marine Team, who provided surveillance information using high tech satellite based radar to identify potential illegal activity in the Islands’ waters.
Young resident Torika Christian said: “It was wonderful to have the Royal Navy here in Pitcairn. It means so much to us to have this support for the Island, particularly in destroying the historic explosives, which were a threat to our island’s pristine environment. We’ve enjoyed having the Royal Navy here, and we can’t wait for them to come back.”