Mk 15 Mod 0 Cutter
The Mk 15 Mod 0 cutter (figure 8-8) is an
explosive, single-cartridge-operated device designed to
cut wire ropes. The cutter is used primarily as an on-
deck emergency cutter for severing the sweep and
depressor wires in emergency conditions. It is mounted
on each sweep and depressor wire in use. Two types of
explosive charge cartridges can be used, the Mk 154 for
above water use, and the Mk 155 for below water
use.
The Mk 15 cutter is actuated by a lanyard, which
releases the firing trip pin. The spring-loaded trip pin
releases a firing pin which strikes a cartridge that, in
turn, drives a punch down the barrel of the cutter,
through the wire rope.
FLOATS
The purpose of minesweeping floats is to support
either minesweeping otters or acoustic devices during
minesweeping operations. The size 1 float (figure 8-9)
is used in all mechanical minesweeping operations in
support of the otter. The float also serves as a marker for
the approximate outboard end of the sweep, allowing
the sweep width to be checked by observation from the
ship. Otter performance may also be visually checked
Figure 8-8.--Mk 15 Mod 0 cutter assembly.
by observing the depth at which the float rides.
cutter. The cutters are interchangeable from starboard
The float's flag, with black and red horizontal
stripes, indicates whether a port or starboard sweep is
to port sweep without modification.
Figure 8-9.--Typical "O"-type, size 1 float.
8-7