Brocklesby deals with 'very real threat' off besieged Misrata

THIS is the first, chilling image of a mine laid by Gaddafi’s forces off the beleaguered city of Misrata – and blown up by HMS Brocklesby minutes later.

Crudely tethered to an inflatable boat – sunk to serve as a makeshift ‘mooring’ – the mine packs 100kg explosive and was laid just a mile off the entrance to the Libyan port.

It was one of three dumped in the waters off Misrata by pro-Gaddafi forces – who have made repeated attempts to close the port.

Diving Dutchmen join Brocklesby beneath the Mediterranean

SOMEWHERE beneath the surface of the Mediterranean divers from the Royal Navy and their Dutch counterparts ‘fly’ the NATO flag.

Dive teams from HMS Brocklesby and the HMNLS Haarlem plunged into the central Med to test their abilities to work together – and help each other out should the clearance divers get into difficulties.

Both ships are attached to NATO’s Standing Mine Countermeasures Group 1, an international mine warfare force which moves around European waters dealing with the detritus of wars past and ensuring Allied navies are always ready to deal with wars present and future.

Brock n roll as minehunter encounters heavy weather

THIS is what the Navy calls ‘a bit sporty’.

Waves crash over the bow of minehunter HMS Brocklesby as she struggles across the Bay of Biscay to take part in NATO exercises.

Hunts are not renowned for their seakeeping and the infamous bay is not renowned for showing clemency to mariners.

Perfect combination, then.

When Brock did complete her passage in company with the rest of NATO’s Standing Mine Countermeasures Group 1, she joined more than 20 vessels from 17 Allied nations on Exercise Noble Mariner.