How EOD Teams are Using Robotic Technology to Keep Divers Safe
Introduction
Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams undertake some of the most dangerous missions on the planet, expertly trained to locate and neutralize unexploded ordnances (UXOs) such as naval mines and underwater IEDs (improvised explosive devices). Naval mines are underwater explosives capable of devastating ships or submarines. Historically, these devices were deployed as wartime strategies to block enemy access to certain areas or funnel them into specific zones. Today, naval mines remain hidden along the ocean floor, posing significant risks to ocean operations and personnel.
In this article, we’ll explore what naval mines are, how EOD teams work to safely eliminate them, and how advancements in technology are revolutionizing this process—making it faster, safer, and more efficient.
What Are Naval Mines?
A naval mine is a self-contained underwater explosive designed to damage or destroy submarines and surface vessels. Naval mines have also been employed to restrict enemy access or force groups into specific locations. These tactics are still being used to this day. There are three main types of naval mines: drifting, bottom, and moored mines.
- Drifting mines float freely with the current, unattached to any fixed point, such as a Mark 12 drifting mine.
- Anchored mines, or bottom mines, rest on the sea floor and are anchored in place using an anchor and rope, limiting their movement, such as the buoyancy mines.
- Bottom mines are securely placed on the ocean floor and remain stationary due to their robust design, similar to the manta mooring mine.
Even after decades of sitting on the ocean floor, these floating mines remain highly dangerous, capable of detonating or leaking harmful chemicals into the surrounding environment.

The Dangers of Unexploded Ordnance (UXO)
The unknown locations of unexploded ordnance (UXO) in the ocean—including underwater mines, torpedoes, and bombs—pose a significant risk to both human safety and the environment. These explosives are highly dangerous, making safe neutralization a challenging task without risking harm. Areas suspected to contain these mines present serious threats to ocean operations due to their unpredictable and destructive nature.
Whose at Risk?
Any person operating near these UXOs are at risk of being harmed. Ship captains, large vessel operators, and submarines must rely on sonar and visual detection systems to identify and avoid these hazards in time. Workers in or near these waters, such as divers, sailors, and researchers, face constant danger. Moreover, marine life is vulnerable to accidentally triggering these mines, which could have catastrophic consequences for marine populations and ecosystems. The long-term impact could render parts of the ocean uninhabitable for centuries, leaving areas devoid of life, where plant growth ceases and animal habitats are destroyed.
What Are Mine Countermeasures (MCM)?
Mine countermeasures (MCM), also known as subsea mine neutralization, involve the detection, identification, and neautralization of sea mines and IEDs. These operations are typically carried out using minehunters, trained EOD divers, specialized ships, or unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs). The process involves navigating to the mine’s location—whether floating, anchored, or resting on the seabed—and neutralizing the threat. The primary goal of MCM is to secure safe waterways and protect ships by removing the hazards posed by mines.
EOD Divers: Highly trained personnel who manually detect, identify, and neutralize underwater mines using specialized equipment and techniques, often in situations requiring precision or human decision-making.
Minehunters: Specialized ships designed to detect, disable, or destroy naval mines using advanced sonar, magnetic sweeps, mechanical cutters, or explosive charges to ensure safe passage for other vessels.
Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs): Remotely operated or autonomous underwater vehicles equipped with sensors and tools to locate, identify, and neutralize underwater mines, often in environments too dangerous for human operators.

The Risks Associated with Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD)
Explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) is a demanding and high-risk profession. Those in this field face the dangers of being targeted by enemy forces, accidental explosions, hazardous material exposure, PTSD, and insomnia. EOD divers, or bomb disposal divers, whether working solo or with a team, are extensively trained to handle these challenges. They rely on advanced tools and vehicles to locate, identify, recover, disarm, or safely remove dangerous threats, ensuring the safety of communities and the environment. Leaders in the industry are constantly looking for ways to make the operation safer and more efficient, and doing their best to protect the people working on these operations.
Protecting EOD Divers by Using ROVs
To improve safety in underwater operations, teams are turning to unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), like Remotely Operated Underwater Vehicles (ROVs), as an alternative tool for EOD divers. In high-risk scenarios, where divers face risks such as accidental explosions or exposure to hazardous materials, sending divers can expose them to significant dangers. Remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROVs) offer a safer solution, reducing the risks associated with mine countermeasures. Decrease operational time, and diver risk, while simultaneously increasing safety, accuracy, and the versatility of your EOD operations.
Divers or trained ROV pilots can deploy an ROV within minutes. Using advanced visual and sonar detection, the ROV locates the mine, maneuvers toward the threat, and utilizes specialized tools to neutralize the threat. The ROV then returns safely to its base—whether a boat or a dock far from danger.

Advancements in ROV Technology
Modern ROVs, like the SRV-8X Mine Disposal Vehicle, are far more user-friendly. They boast setup and deployment times of under three minutes and have minimal learning curves, making it easy for teams to switch operators as needed.
The advancements in these subsea robotic vehicles offer several major benefits to EOD teams including:
- Faster Missions
ROVs decrease operation time, enabling faster and more efficient mine neutralization while reducing exposure to hazardous environments.
- Safer for Divers
In many cases, divers will no longer have to approach dangerous mines that pose a threat to their safety, greatly reducing the risk to human life while maintaining accuracy.
- More Accurate
With advanced maneuverability, ROVs deliver precise performance in diverse underwater environments, allowing MCM teams to continue their mission in conditions that would otherwise have prevented a diver from working.
- Increased Safety
Remote operation of ROVs enhances safety by keeping teams at a secure distance from dangerous underwater explosives.
- Highly Versatile
ROVs offer unmatched versatility, adapting to various mine neutralization tasks while reducing time and risk to EOD divers.
ROVs now come equipped with increased payload capacities, allowing them to carry the necessary tools for efficient operations. Operators can monitor live visual and sonar readings on a sunlight-readable display, enabling swift mine detection with fewer obstacles. Once the mine is located, the ROV releases the detonation tool, retreats to a safe distance, and initiates wireless detonation—keeping the operator entirely out of harm’s way.
How to Detonate a Mine Using the SRV-8X Mine Disposal Vehicle
The SRV-8X Mine Disposal Vehicle (MDV) is trusted by industry leaders as the ultimate tool for mine disposal, delivering a safe, efficient, and cost-effective solution for EOD teams across the globe.
- Detect and Identify the Explosive – Use the ROV’s sonar and camera to locate the sea mine and move towards it.
- Position the ROV – Move the ROV to place the charge disruptor exactly on the mine’s weak spot.
- Release the Shock Tube – Let go of the shock tube and back the ROV up to a safe distance.
- Move to Safety – Pilot the ROV to a safe distance away from the mine.
- Set Off the Explosion – Once the ROV is at a safe distance, trigger the explosion to destroy the mine safely.
Conclusion
ROVs, like the SRV-8X Mine Disposal Vehicle, are transforming mine countermeasures by providing safer, faster, and more efficient solutions for EOD teams globally. These advanced subsea robotic vehicles simplify mine neutralization, minimizing risks to divers and the environment while keeping operations cost-effective. As technology advances, ROVs will become essential for efficient and highly-technical MCM operations.
Our experts are ready to assist in answering any questions and guiding you to the ideal vehicle for your mission’s unique needs.