VOLUME I Multinational Maritime Tactical Instructions and Procedures

MTP 1(D), Vol. I
(b) Arming or rising delays, which prevent the mine from becoming active before a
preset time.
(c) Sterilizing time, which renders the mine inoperative after a preset time.
b. The mines described above may be either mines that are fired by remote control, contact mines,
or influence mines. Contact mines will normally be moored mines, although drifting mines can be used in
this context. Influence mines can be either moored or bottom mines.
13004 THE NATURE OF A MINEFIELD
As all minelaying operations will have a lasting effect on enemy as well as own operations, all
sources of intelligence should be used by officers concerned with the planning of such an operation. Where
independent mines have been laid, the minefield presents the same danger to own forces as to enemy
forces. Operational advantages can be achieved by the use of arming or rising delays and sterilizers that
will activate and deactivate the minefield at preset times. If sterilizers are not used, the minefield must be
expected to create a danger for years.
13005 TYPES OF MINING
a. Mines. Mines can be used strategically or tactically.
(1) Strategic Mining would be conducted with the broad long-term aim of denying the enemy
free access to or use of sea areas and sea lines of communications considered vital to the defense of
NATO territories and to the support of the war effort of the Alliance.
(2) Tactical Mining may be conducted in support of a limited military objective, generally in a
specified area of immediate tactical interest.
b. Minefields. Mines can be used to lay defensive protective fields or offensive fields.
(1) Defensive and Protective Mining is normally conducted in coastal or territorial waters or
in international waters and straits that normally are under the control of a NATO nation or the Alliance.
(2) Offensive Mining may be conducted in harbours or approaches thereto, straits, and territorial
waters that normally are under the control of the enemy, although under certain circumstances, it may be
conducted in neutral or international waters.
13006 JETTISONING MINES
The safety of the minelayer sometimes requires that the mines aboard be jettisoned. It is emphasized
that jettisoned mines may become a serious hazard to friendly ships unless suitable precautions are taken.
The optimum, but often unavailable, places for jettisoning mines in armed condition are enemy shipping
routes and other areas regularly used by enemy ships that will not be needed by friendly ships before the
mines are sterilized. If the mines cannot be laid against enemy ships, they usually should be either dropped
in water so deep that the mines will be crushed and destroyed by the pressure or dropped in safe condition.
13007 URGENT MINING
Urgent mining is the laying of active mines with correct spacing but not in the ordered or planned
positions. The mines may be laid inside or outside the planned area in such positions that they will hamper
the movements of the enemy more than those of own forces.
13-2 ORIGINAL