U.S. Army combat divers from the Special Forces Underwater Operations School last week removed marine debris from the waters surrounding Key West, Florida, including a communications cable that may date back to the 1800’s.
Combat divers use this area as part of their seven-week combat diver qualification training. Over the years marine debris has accumulated in the area, creating potentially hazardous conditions.
The U.S. Army Special Forces collaborated with the U.S. Coast Guard and NOAA’s Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary to improve safety at the only U.S. Army Special Forces dive school and conserve the natural ecosystem surrounding the Keys.
This was the first known time that the Special Forces have engaged in a marine debris removal project. The divers removed more than 1,200 pounds of debris.
(Image credit: Frazier Nivens, Activity conducted under permit number FKNMS-2021-021)
