NORFOLK -- One of the four Underwater Unmanned Vehicles that went missing earlier this month has been recovered and the search has been called off for the other three.
The Navy underwater unmanned vehicles disappeared in Thimble Shoals channel between the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel and the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel on June 6.
The one recovered device was located Sunday.
Sailors, Coast Guardsmen and local authorities searching for the devices, which were being used by Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 1 for search, classify and map missions during an exercise called Frontier Sentinel 2010.
Communication was lost with four of 13 vehicles and the search immediately began.
The Remote Environmental Monitoring Units (REMUS) 100 Swordfish Underwater Unmanned Vehicle is 7.5 inches in diameter, 62" long and weighs 80 pounds.
The Navy's investigation continues.
While it is believed finding the remaining three UUVs is unlikely, there is the possibility they may be found at a later date. If located, please do not handle the equipment. Please contact the Staff Duty Officer at EOD Group 1 in San Diego at 619-921-6782.
About 2,500 Canadian and U.S. military personnel and government civilian agencies were participating in the annual training exercise that focuses on maritime homeland defense.
The scenario for this year's exercise involves the coordinated detection, assessment and response to a mining threat in Hampton Roads that would impede both commercial and military traffic in the Chesapeake Bay as well as testing the Maritime Operational Threat Response of military and civil authorities to a vessel of interest, which may be carrying a potential Weapon of Mass Effect into the United States.
