The Belgian Minister of Defense visits the diving school in Zeebrugge naval base

On September 4, 2020, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defense Philippe Goffin visited the entire defense diving community at Zeebrugge naval base. The Defense Diving School is part of the Land component and provides diving training for all Defense divers.


On September 4, 2020, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defense Philippe Goffin visited the entire defense diving community at Zeebrugge naval base. The Defense Diving School is part of the Land component and provides diving training for all Defense divers.
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Russian Vyborg Shipyard laid the Purga ice class coastguard ship of project 23550 925 001 Defence Minister Philippe Goffin and the Commander diving school Captain Filip Govaerts. (Picture source: Navy Recognition)


During his visit, the Belgian Minister of Defense Philippe Goffin was introduced to the various diving specialities such as engineers, navy divers, deminers, special forces and search & rescue divers.

After that, the Minister attended a demonstration of divers training in the hyperbaric wet pot, as well as an introduction to diving in the swimming pool of the center. From the latter group, the minister was able to attend a demonstration during which a drowning person was rescued by NH-90 helicopter's crew members.

The visit ended up with a helicopter flight towards mine countermeasures vessels currently conducting a large-scale international mine clearance exercise off the Belgian coast. Under the expert guidance of frigate Captain Clauwaert, the Minister was given more information about the deployment, importance and objectives of the Sandy Coast exercise.

After a short stopover at the base, the helicopter continued its return flight to Brussels.


The Belgian Minister of Defense visits the diving school in Zeebrugge naval base 925 002The NH-90 Helicopter during rescue demonstration at Zeebrugge naval base. (Picture source: Navy Recognition)