Australian Clearance Diving Team Four based at Fleet Base West, became the latest commissioned unit in the Royal Australian Navy at a ceremony at the team's headquarters on Saturday December 1, 2001.

Under the command of LCDR Peter Tedman a large contingent of VIPs, family and friends witnessed the formal ceremony.

Commissioning Lady for the ceremony was Mrs Susanne Littleton, the wife of CDRE Clem Littleton an elder statesman of the Clearance Diving fraternity. The Maritime Commander Australia, RADM Geoff Smith was the reviewing officer while RADM P.A.C. Clarke, Chief Knowledge Officer ADF, represented the Chief of Navy.

The decision to commission Australian Clearance Diving Team Four was to allow it to take its place alongside other operational units in the RAN and defines its command and control status within the service's Order of Battle.

The history of Australian Clearance Diving Team Four originates with the formation of the Fremantle Port Division Diving Team, primarily a Reserve diving team, at the former HMAS Leeuwin in Fremantle in 1962. In 1978 Clearance Diving Team Four was formed with five clearance divers, from these humble beginnings the team has evolved to a strength of 55 full-time personnel, supported by 24 reserve divers.

The team maintains a 20-metre dive launch, Shark, which is capable of supporting diving operations anywhere in Australia. Capabilities of the team include:

Mine Counter Measure diving operations

Maritime explosive ordnance disposal (EOD)

Tactical missions in support of amphibious and other maritime operations

Underwater battle damage repair

Underwater engineering and maintenance support to fleet units, and

Assistance in submarine rescue

For LCDR Tedman, AUSCDT4's commissioning caps a most satisfying career in diving to date that commenced as a Junior Recruit CD in 1973. Command of AUSCDT4 passed to LCDR Scott Craig on 8 December 2001.

From Gary Booth PACC(WA)