May 13, 2024

Submarine Rescue Systems

SMP provide a sole resource for the design, manufacture, installation, commissioning and training on Submarine Rescue Systems for military organisations internationally.

In the event of a submarine becoming in distress or disabled, urgent critical support needs to be made available through the use of a number of systems and methods. SMP’s innovative Submarine Rescue Systems represent the pinnacle of subsea engineering, providing a crucial lifeline to submariners in emergency situations. From surface supporting DISSUB Ventilation, Submariner Free Accent Recovery and Recompression, Transfer Under Pressure Decompression Arrays (TUP) to subsea Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV), free swimming Submarine Rescue Vehicles (SRV) and Atmospheric Diving (ADS), our specialist equipment represents a critical aspect of submarine operational safety.For the rescue of the submariners, various escape infrastructures are installed within the submarine so to provide a means of Free Accent or alternatively a capability of Transfer Under Pressure (TUP) via a rescue vehicle. TUP Systems are available complete with Submarine Rescue Vehicles (SRV) for the safely transfer of occupants from the DISSUB to a ship based decompression complex.Before the TUP Rescue Vessel can be mobilised and arrive at site, the distressed submarine (DISSUB) requires a more rapid response to its distress in order to locate, communicate and maintain life on board. For this a First Response Vessel is deployed using a Vessel of Opportunity (VOO) with installed ROV with Emergency Life Support Stores (ELSS), an Atmospheric Diving Suit (ADS) or similar Diving System and a Submarine Emergency Ventilation and Decompression System (SEVDS).

Elements of our Submarine Rescue System - Rescue Vessel / First Response Vessel

TUP DECOMPRESSION SYSTEM

SMPs unique array of containerised decompression chambers provides an hyperbaric complex involving several chambers providing mass decompression treatment of the full DISSUB capacity for affected personnel and clinical hyperbaric oxygen therapy within individual compartments for the triage and treatment of rescues interlinked via transfer trunks.The units can be used alone or as part of a complex thusly creating the Multirole Containerised Decompression Facility (MCDF). Supporting an individual chamber or complex of is a number of Machinery Containers within which contain compressors and chillers. Flanking the containers are various deck quads containing air, oxygen and gas storage.Along with the conventional ISO corner castings the containers are fitted with four dedicated top lifting eyes. The containers are equipped with a split air conditioning system, a single internal evaporator unit provides ambient conditions for operational personnel supplied from an external condenser unit mounted within a protective alcove within the container. Thermal insulation is fitted to the roof and walls of the container thus capable of maintaining comfortable operational temperatures for personnel. Each decompression chamber has a separate fully integrated life support control panel mounted within the container, which allows for safe operation of the related decompression chamber. Each container is installed with weather proof service plates, maintenance hatches and chamber access manways providing comfortable environments for the operators and medical staff to efficiently diagnose and treat the patients.Our design of Submarine Rescue Systems, TUP Chambers and Control System are unique in the SRS industry. We can also supply automatic control systems to ease the workload of the operators.

Submarine Rescue Hyperbaric Facility external and internal view

Submarine Emergency Ventilation and Decompression System (SEVDS)

The Submarine Emergency Ventilation and Decompression System (SEVDS) is a surface supplied umbilical linked system with the primary objective of sustaining life on a distressed submarine (DISSUB). The system will continually monitor and control the atmospheric conditions of the DISSUB through the process of sampling and analysing the contents of the DISSUB to determine the required atmosphere control methods required being exhausting the contents, supply of breathing air from the surface to the DISSUB to stabilise levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide, flushing contaminated atmospheres, managing the internal pressure of the submarine and maintaining a safer environment for the occupants of the DISSUB. The system can be rapidly deployed to the location of the DISSUB and connected to the submarine by ROV, ADS or diver intervention.The major components of the SEVDS are:• Mission Control Container• Critical Life Support Machinery Container• SEVDS Umbilical Winch Package• Subsea Control Module (SCM)• HP Air and Gas Storage Quads• Automated Pressurisation and Decompression Monitoring SystemsAs part of submarine rescue operations the SEVDS Control and supporting Machinery Systems are integral with our design. This is vital for the monitoring of the Submarine atmosphere and submariners during a rescue scenario. Containerised for ease of shipping and mobility, the control systems are equipped with ergonomic manual and automated operational control panels providing the necessary safe control, monitoring and instrumentation required for the DISSUB. Thermally insulated and air conditioned provides the comfortable ambient conditions for operational personnel. Contained inside the Control and Machinery Containers to support the DISSUB activities are a varied set of machinery which include vac pumps and compressors of varied capacities with filtration and instrumentation. The control panel and interfaces are fitted out with high quality brass and stainless steel fittings. Flanking the containers and winch package are two deck quads containing high pressure air.SMP supply varied types of DISSUB connections tailored to suit individual requirements or standards (e.g. NATO STANAG 1450). In addition supporting training aids can be supplied with the SEVDS of a Subsea Training Template for the training and use of the SEVDS.

Submarine Rescue Vehicle (SRV)

The SRV-F Mk3 is a free swimming manned submersible capable of untethered rescue operations to depths over 500m. This SRV is operated by 3 crew members and has a rescue chamber capacity of 50 submariners per dive. Connection to the DISSUB is achieved by the NATO ANEP MNEP 85 / 85.1 compliant mating skirt complete with innovative soft seal capable of mating to the DISSUB at angles up to 45 degrees.

Atmospheric Diving Suits (ADS)

Our Submarine Rescue Systems can be provided with Atmospheric Suits. This fabricated metal dive suit allows divers to operate safely down to a depth of 2000 feet and yet still have exceptional dexterity and flexibility to perform delicate work. The amazing technology of the EXOSUIT atmospheric diving system (ADS) maintains a surface cabin pressure and still allows the suit to bend due to a unique rotary joint assembly.

Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV)

SMP can supply a wide selection of ROVs to suit client specific requirements. In the case of Sub Rescue a work class ROV will be preferred to carry out applicable duties needed for DISSUB location, site survey, debris clearance, SEVDS Connection and ELSS Pod Posting.

Single/Twin Occupancy Submersibles

As part of our Submarine Rescue Systems we can supply the Single or Twin Occupancy submersibles.One specific example is the Deepworker 2000, an atmospheric submersible which allows the pilot to go to deeper depths and spend more time below the surface than when using traditional diving methods. It is depth rated to 600m and has the option to be configured to alternative depths.The compact and lightweight design is easy to operate and can be piloted with minimum training. It has horizontal and vertical thrusters giving unrivalled manoeuvrability and has the ability to hover underwater.

Supplementary Products and Features

SMP also supply a number of supporting products and features:

- Training simulators for ROV operations and DSRV operations.

- DISSUB Training Templates for Surface and Subsea Ventilation exercises.

- Alternative Naval specific or NATO compliant DISSUB connectors.

- SRV subsea mating training targets.

Submarine Rescue supplementary equipment

State of the Art Submarine Rescue Systems

SMP’s submarine rescue system customers include armed forces hailing from several countries around the globe. We are vastly experienced in delivering workable submarine safety solutions to our clients all around the world. Our markets pages have more details about the benefits we offer to each client sector. SMP occupies a unique position within the submarine rescue sector and can create bespoke designs built to accommodate your specific requirements and expectations.Transfer under pressure (TUP) capability is a modern requirement of Submarine Rescue Systems, since it has been established that in most cases the survivors will most likely be exposed to higher than normal atmospheric pressure similar to that of divers during diving operations, this will also be over an extended period due to the length of the rescue operations which creates an even greater decompression period. This will lead to a longer period of decompression than normal. Therefore the requirements for large multi-place surface decompression chambers to be on site with a TUP facility. These multi-compartment decompression chambers will be used for accelerated air and nitrox decompression, decontamination and medical treatment as required.

Internal view of submarine rescue decompression chamber

Partner of Choice - Why SMP?

We have previously designed a large number of submarine rescue systems from the physical extraction of crew to the emergency deployment of decompression technology, our experienced engineers have a thorough grounding in the significant factors affecting submarine rescue operations.Our unrivalled position within the SRS industry is backed up by our full submarine rescue system setups, TUP chambers and advanced control system technology.No matter how difficult the challenge or how long the process, we work very closely with the client to enable them to achieve their goals.SMP offer customers a quality service and products. For this we are indebted to the skills and dedication of our workforce. Without them we would not be in the position we are today.We deliver our results through continued innovation and communication.Our experience and resources cover a variety of industries that we operate in today.We would like to emphasise that we offer a complete service that we feel is special within our marketplace.Due to industry and client demands, SMP has developed its operations to suit the marketplace offering complete system design and manufacture.As an international Company we understand the requirement for interpretation.

// GET IN TOUCH TODAY - +44(0)1772 687775 - Learn more about how our diving and subsea systems can help you. //

My Cart

Quote Summary