Diepduiken

Diepduiken is a type of diving technique used in naval and military contexts, particularly in submarines and deep-sea diving operations. The term "diepduiken" is often used in Dutch-speaking countries, where it translates to "deep diving" or "deep-sea diving".

Diepduiken involves projecting a swimmer or diver over the sides of a ship or submarine into the surrounding water, often at great depths. This technique is used for various purposes, including underwater reconnaissance, sabotage, and insertion of operatives. Diepduiken requires specialized training, equipment, and planning to execute safely and effectively.

A diepduiken operation typically involves a team of divers, including the "dunker" who is propelled out of the watercraft, a "schietrek" who manages the deployment of the Dunker, and a "onderzoeker" or "goalkeeper" who is stationed near the water, monitoring the exiting dive and providing an emergency lifeline if needed.

Diepduiken was historically employed by naval special operations teams, but modern-day military operations have largely replaced this technique with more advanced and safer methods, such as helicopter-borne infiltrations or lower-risk alternatives like speedboats. Despite its limitations, diepduiken remains of interest in historical and tactical studies of naval warfare.