Dolphins Could Be Deployed To Strait Of Hormuz

Dolphins Can Detect Mines In Murky Water Using Sonar

Posted: 02/01/2012
Last Updated: 477 days ago

U.S. Navy ships operating in the Strait of Hormuz could have help from dolphins if Iran follows through with its rhetoric and attempts to shut down the strait.

» Sign Up For Breaking News Alerts » Like Us On Facebook

"They're usually employed as a response to a mine scenario and right now to our knowledge, the Iranians have not deployed mines in the strait," said retired Vice Adm. Pete Daly.

Dolphins are trained to detect mines at the marine mammal program just off shore at Naval Base Point Loma.

"Because of their exceptional sonar and echo sounding, they can pick out mines in murky and cluttered waters," said Daly.

San Diego is also home to seven mine countermeasure ships and a state-of-the-art facility to train sailors in mine detection.

Operational security prevents anyone from confirming whether the dolphins have been sent to the Strait of Hormuz, but they were successfully used in the Iraq War to detect mines in and around oil platforms.

Copyright Do you have more information about this story? Click here to contact usCopyright 2012 by 10News.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


San Diego , CA  
62° Mostly cloudy

Stay Connected

Send us a News Tip Send us a News Tip
Tablet & iPhone/Android Apps Mobile/Tablet Apps
Twitter Twitter
Facebook Facebook
YouTube YouTube
SanDiegoLaw.tv SanDiegoLaw.tv