Hormuz mine clearance could take weeks

Ensuring the Strait of Hormuz is safe from mines could delay
a return to normal shipping traffic by weeks following a deal
to reopen the strategic waterway

TYPES OF NAVAL MINES

Drifting mine: Floats on or just
below sea surface and explodes
on physical contact

Moored mine
Anchored to seabed.
Relies on physical
contact or proximity
sensors to explode
as ship passes

Limpet mine: Explosive charge
attached to ship by divers or small
boats. Detonates after preset
amount of time

Bottom mine
Senses acoustic,
magnetic or pressure
variations caused by
ship. Blast sends large
gas bubble upwards

Minimum depth of Strait of Hormuz shipping channels: 45-60m

MINE HUNTING: Ship launches
remote vehicle equipped with sonar
to scan area autonomously following
back-and-forth pattern

Mine

Ship

Remote vehicle
Collected data
is analysed
to create map
of mines

Once found, mines are destroyed
by sending explosive devices or
divers to disarm them

MINESWEEPING: In most cases,
submerged cables attached to
specialised devices
are dragged in
mined areas

Cable

Ship 

Mine

Devices emit
fake signals
to trigger mines

Can be faster than mine hunting
but signals do not always work,
so some mines could remain

Sources: AFP, New York Times, Reuters
� GRAPHIC NEWS