MARSAFE
MARSAFE
MARSAFE
Workshop · Munitions in the Sea — Monaco · 17 September 2026
Underwater UXO clearance, specialist diver training, and coastal redevelopment across the Adriatic and the wider Mediterranean.
M o n t e n e g r o
My base is the Underwater Operations Centre MARSAFE, a technical facility on the Bay of Kotor where professional divers are trained for underwater demining and public-safety missions.
It sits on a stretch of coast that has, at different times, been a minefield, a naval choke point, and now a UNESCO-listed harbour for cruise liners — the same water, made safe by the same work.
Naval mines are explosive devices designed to damage or sink ships, submarines and other vessels, or to deny them the use of an area of sea. They first appeared in the West during the 16th century — and every conflict since has left more of them behind.
The first naval mines appear in Western warfare, designed to deny an enemy the use of an area of sea without a single ship engaged.
Large-scale deployment begins: British and American forces lay tens of thousands of mines to block German vessels, while Germany targets coastal waters — the start of massive tactical naval mining.
600,000–1,000,000 naval mines are laid, sinking 650 Allied ships and 1,100 Axis ships.
Naval mines are a persistent and dangerous legacy of past armed conflicts in the region.
Active munitions in South-East Europe's waters pose a serious threat to civilian lives and maritime property.
Naval mines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) have been officially identified in every single country of South-East Europe.
Beyond humanitarian and security dimensions, comprehensive mine clearance is essential for the region's economic rebuilding.
The organised, systematic detection, identification and removal or destruction of mines and other explosive devices under water.
Primarily aimed at supporting military forces and ensuring operational security during conflict or tactical tasks.
The first school in Europe for training underwater deminers in humanitarian underwater demining.
I have organised training and qualified more than 80 professional divers for underwater demining from eight nations:
Underwater deminers are a scarce profession, and their training is organised at the request of states that need to resolve the problem of legacy munitions and other explosive remnants under water.
A working chronology of clearance missions across Montenegro, Bulgaria and the Adriatic seabed — each one ending the same way: a certified, safe space where there used to be a hazard.
Every operation ends in paperwork as much as in tonnage — a formal record that a stretch of seabed has been surveyed, cleared, and declared safe.
This official certificate verifies that the designated marine space has been systematically surveyed, cleared, and declared completely safe from underwater mines and unexploded ordnance (UXO).
Sea floor of Portonovi–Kumbor, covering a total cleared area of 186,773 m².
Assessed with a 99.6% confidence level to a depth of 35 cm in the sea bottom and up to 1.5 m in the sub-bottom.
Regional Centre for Divers Training and Underwater Demining (RCUD), Montenegro.
Unlocking local coastal economies through safe, cleared waters — the same seabed that once denied a coastline its use now supports it.
Restoring crucial shipping and transport routes to establish secure corridors for regional trade, international commerce, and local passenger transport.
Transforming previously hazardous coastal zones into premier, safe locations for international recreation, cruise ships, hotel development, and diving.
Protecting fishermen and marine assets, allowing coastal communities to safely expand fishery operations and boost maritime food production.
Leading international initiatives in underwater UXO clearance, specialized training, and coastal redevelopment.
Master Instructor certification and high-level training leadership.
Expert in complex underwater explosive ordnance disposal (EOD).
Directing specialized survey, clearance, and marine security operations.
Awards from international underwater, environmental and technical-diving organisations recognise the contribution to training, humanitarian underwater demining and marine safety.
Career dedicated to safer waters, specialist training and humanitarian demining.
Excellence in underwater demining and the protection of marine environments.
Outstanding excellence in training technical divers across borders and institutions.
National recognition for socially responsible professional contribution to the community.
Contribution to underwater sciences and professional practice on an international scale.
Humanitarian work recognised at the high-profile “Big Blue” event.
Safe underwater demining of a 230,000 m² area at Chelopechene, near Sofia.
First prize for humanitarian work and contribution to marine protection.
Restoring safety to marine environments through advanced underwater demining, specialized training, and international collaboration to protect coastal ecosystems.