You don't need fiction for bizarre minesweeping stories. During the Falklands War the British needed to confirm whether the entrance to Falkland Sound had been

You don't need fiction for bizarre minesweeping stories. During the Falklands War the British needed to confirm whether the entrance to Falkland Sound had been mined before the landings could begin. Not having any minesweepers with the task group HMS Alacrity, a Type 21 frigate, was detailed off to find out. This involved sailing up and down to see if they hit anything, with all non-essential personnel staying above the water-line. Thankfully they didn't find any mines.