EXERCISE HOLDFAST [Main Title]

Laying of HAIS pipeline across the Bristol Channel from Swansea Bay to Watermouth.

I. Reel One and Two. Performance figures for HAIS line. Drums of line are loaded onto a LCT. Cut to HMS Holdfast as she picks up the southern end of the Swansea shore length, joins on main length, and lays line across channel. The minesweeper Andelus and the tugs Seine and Cherbourgeois accompany HMS Holdfast.

II. Reel Three. Maps illustrate route of the line-laying operation, including unsatisfactory shore lengths laid by MV Oceanic. Cut to Oceanic as she picks up southern end of pipeline off Burrow Nose, near Ilfracombe, and lays line inshore - the vessel actually dries out at low tide, and the line is dropped onto the beach, excess line cut off, and the remaining length towed ashore by a tractor. Final shots show the line run through a breach in seawall and connected to valve controls.

35mm