Petty Officer, Darren Carvell, a Royal Navy diver has been presented with the award of Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE), in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours for outstanding bravery and commitment to bomb disposal operations.
Specifically, during his time as a diver, Darren Carvell, was responsible for the safe disposal of more than 150 explosive ordnance devices.
PO(D) Carvell noted
I was deeply honoured and immensely proud to be recommended for this award, let alone to actually receive it. It’s a fantastic achievement for both myself and my family.
On July in 2016, Carvell along with a team of six divers located and freed a Portuguese submarine that had become entangled in a trawler’s net 35 nautical miles offshore. As the submarine was voyaging through heavy seas, the diver and his team managed, through a six-hour operation, to make sure that the vessel was cut free and escorted back to safety.
Moreover, in 2017, the diver along with a four-man team accomplished the safe disposal of two large WWII bombs less than 900 yards from Hinkley Point Nuclear Power Station and an improvised explosive device disposal task following an explosion in Camborne, Cornwall.
In addition, the same year Carvell was involved at an incident where the fishing vessel FV Solsticecapsized in heavy seas off the coast of Plymouth. Arriving at the scene, Carvell managed to conduct a search and rescue operation inside the hull of the capsized vessel. Although the crewman was recovered minutes before the vessel sunk, he was not alive.
Also, Lieutenant Commander Sean Heaton, the Commanding Officer of the Southern Diving Group reported that Carvell has continually performed beyond expectations, putting the needs of Royal Navy ahead of his own.
His unrivalled commitment, exceptional leadership and relentless motivation has inspired all who work with him. His outstanding dedication has resulted in a huge number of high profile successes for the Royal Navy.
In conclusion, Carvell is now part of Fleet Diving Unit 1 on Horsea Island, supporting overseas bomb disposal operations.
