Massive Minehunting in the Gulf – A major Royal Navy minehunting exercise in Gulf saw six British ships and more than 600 British sailors are involved in the biggest mine warfare exercise ever staged.   Over 40 nations have committed divers, helicopters, robot submarines and nearly three dozen ships to the two week IMCMEX - International Mine Counter-Measures Exercise.   Some thirty five ships, diving teams and mine warfare experts from every continent except Antarctica accepted the invitation to the second IMCMEX.     The exercise follows the success of the inaugural IMCMEX last September (2012).

The British contingent comprised the Type 45 Destroyer DRAGON and the Bahrain based Royal Navy Minecountermeasure Force, which has the Landing Ship RFA CARDIGAN BAY acting as “Depot Ship” and all four of the Royal Navy's Gulf based minehunters, the Hunt Class Minecountermeasure Vessels ATHERSTONE and QUORN, and the Sandown Class Minecountermeasure Vessels RAMSEY and SHOREHAM.