Normally the British Army gets its feet wet only when launching a full-scale amphibious assault. But the Royal Engineers operate teams of divers ready to swing into action as part of search, construction or demolition operations.

Army diver Nathan Blencowe is a support troop commander with 36 Engineer Regiment, based at Maidstone.

He says: “Army divers are trained to demolish enemy installations and construct bridge foundations or underwater rigs. One of our main roles is the recovery of bodies, kit or vehicles that have sunk.”

Diver training attracts many applicants but is so gruelling that only the fittest of the fit make it. Blencowe completed his training at Horsea Island, Portsmouth, two years ago.

“Twenty started the course but by the end of the week only four were left. If you are not comfortable working in freezing water with zero visibility or if you suffer from claustrophobia then it’s fair to say army diving is not for you.

“But I would say it is the most exciting and challenging job the Army has to offer.”

Blencowe also trained at a Scottish loch wearing a weighted diving suit and helmet, allowing him to work at depths of up to 50m with an oxygen feed, radio line and CCTV link.

“We normally dive from rigid inflatable boats and we use an underwater cutting torch and a range of tools such as bolt guns.”

I catch up with Blencowe when he is on exercise at a water-filled quarry in Cliffe, Medway, used by a local sub-aqua club. He is part of a 17-strong dive team laying mesh panels to seal off a dangerous submerged tunnel.

“Diving is the one place in the Army where rank is irrelevant,” he says. “We have a captain, a lieutenant, a regimental sergeant-major and two sappers all working as a team under the command of a dive supervisor, who just happens to be a lance corporal.”

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