Changwon: Navy deep-sea divers conducted regular wintertime drills this week in waters off South Korea's coasts to improve their readiness for winter rescue operations, the Navy said Friday. The four-day exercise kicked off Tuesday at a major naval base in Changwon, 296 kilometers southeast of Seoul, among other naval ports, involving around 90 personnel from the elite Sea Salvage and Rescue Unit (SSU) and some 30 other Navy divers.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the training was focused on mastering diving techniques through search and salvage drills, involving a mock underwater vessel, and water rescue training. The divers also conducted cold-weather fitness drills, which included swimming in frigid winter waters.
Established in 1950 as a Navy special forces unit, the SSU is tasked with ship salvage and rescue operations.