Harbor Clearance Unit One, Pearl Harbor

Harbor Clearance Unit One (HCU-1) was established in 1966 at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, as the U.S. Navy’s first dedicated salvage and harbor clearance unit. Its primary mission was to provide rapid-response salvage, diving, and clearance operations throughout the Pacific, notably supporting the Vietnam War by clearing harbors, salvaging damaged vessels, and assisting in underwater repairs. HCU-1 teams utilized specialized equipment and expertise to clear navigational hazards, ensuring the safe passage of military and commercial shipping. The unit’s vital work contributed significantly to maintaining naval operations and logistics in the Pacific region until its deactivation in 1996.