Forget the Seals, meet the Navy Sea Lions: Animals clear mines and even detain terrorist divers



The U.S. Navy Seals have a reputation for being amongst the bravest of servicemen.



But their exploits pale when compared to the daring recruits currently in training - who swim between live mines and even detain terrorist divers underwater.

But these are no regular sailors. They are sea lions, specially trained to assist the Navy.

Daring: Gremlin, the Californian sea lion, attaches a radio marker onto a mine during a U.S. navy demonstration in Italy

In a jaw-dropping feat, the US Navy's fleet of trained California sea lions are even able to detain intruder divers whilst underwater.

'We have trained sea lions to attach a leg cuff, just like hand cuffs, but fitted on a diver's thigh,' said Tom LaPuzza from the Biosciences Division of SSC Pacific.

'The device works in the same way as handcuffs. Once they are on, they cannot come off.



'A line is attached to the cuffs and the other end is held by security forces on a nearby boat. The human forces can then reel in the intruder and take him or her aboard for questioning.'

Practise makes perfect: The animals are trained to distinguish between different types of device, and even to catch suspect divers

Sea lion Gremlin showcased his incredible skills at a US Navy demonstration watched by officials at the Nato Underwater Research Centre at La Spezia bay, Italy.

He swam down to a fake version of an explosive mine and attached a clamp so it could be reeled in by his keepers.

Other Nato members are considering enlisting the animals, which the US is using in Washington State to patrol for terrorists as part of a drive launched after the 9/11 attacks.

During training the sea lions are also conditioned to recognise various shapes of water mines.



The animals can be fitted with a special harness attached to a lead, which allows trainers to keep track of them while they are hunting for underwater objects.



Cameras can be fitted to the harness giving military staff live video images from under the surface.



In he goes: Gremlin sets off on his underwater mission, with the help of his training team

The sea lions are only used while training dolphins and humans for active service and do not work with active mines.



When they are not helping dolphins and humans train to find explosives, sea lions patrol harbours to stop enemy divers trying to sneak into friendly waters undetected.

'Sea lions are used as an effective deterrent and security mechanism,' said Ann Dakis, from SSC Pacific.

The animal's natural abilities make them ideally suited for the work.



'Sea lions have directional hearing and underwater low light vision,' said Ms Dakis. 'It enables them to perform these tasks more effectively than humans and current technologies.



'Also, marine mammals can tolerate colder temperatures and dive to great depths repeatedly without getting 'the bends', unlike human divers.

Another job well done: Other Nato states are now considering using the animals

'While underwater unmanned systems can dive deeply and remain underwater for lengthy periods, they lack the higher senses to identify specific objects in cluttered environments.

'Another great benefit is the animal's manoeuvrability and their speed.'

US Navy bosses have put in place a team of sea lions and dolphins at one of its top coastal bases as part of the War on Terror.

The marine mammals will patrol the Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor in Washington State, on the American west coast.



The huge military complex supports vessels out at sea and is home to colossal war ships and a weapons facility.

The US Navy currently have 28 California Sea Lions, 80 Atlantic and Pacific Bottlenose Dolphins and one Beluga whale in service.

The American forces first began training marine mammals in the early 1960s.



They were first put to use between 1970-71 during the Vietnam war where they were brought in to protect the US Army ammunition pier in Cam Ranh Bay.

