Operation OPEN SPIRIT

The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) have taken part in Operation OPEN SPIRIT since 2014, with an aim of clearing explosive remnants of war in the Baltic Sea. The three Baltic nations—Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia—take turns hosting the operation. A number of other countries take part. The CAF sends a task force on behalf of Canada.

Nations conduct this operation in the spirit of Partnership for Peace (PfP). This is a program where individual Euro-Atlantic partner countries work with NATO on practical projects. It allows partners to build an individual relationship with NATO. The countries choose their own priorities for cooperation.

How many people are deployed

A team of 15 to 20 clearance divers and support personnel from the Royal Canadian Navy take part in this operation.

What are they doing

During the operation, the dive team works with international partners to scan the seabed in designated areas and search for mine-like objects in the water. Once they confirm that an object is an explosive remnant of war, they or another partner will countermine it. This means that they conduct a controlled detonation.

After they thoroughly search an area, they can declare that it is clear of dangerous mines. This reduces the risk for the shipping and fisheries industry in the Baltic Sea.