Hopefully a Disabled Submarine (DISSUB) message will never be used, but if it is, the world’s navies have to be ready to respond with rapid deployment rescue systems ranging from rescue chambers to manned submersibles. Oceaneering International, Inc. (OII) understands the complexity of submarine rescue because of our long involvement in U.S. Navy submarine rescue initiatives . Our team is comprised of engineers, designers, operators and divers all with hyperbaric chamber, Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), manned submersible, launch and recovery system, and at-sea experience who know what it takes to make a submarine rescue successful.
Oceaneering’s Submarine Rescue Background
OII’s history of success on challenging work in harsh environments led to our selection by the U.S. Navy in 1992 to provide innovative Submarine Rescue concepts. Our million-plus man-hours of experience designing, building, operating and maintaining commercial subsea vehicles and diving systems was a critical consideration for the Navy in choosing us to develop the requirements and specifications for this new approach to submarine rescue. Our engineering team also developed conceptual and detailed designs for a full-up, fly-away saturation diving rescue system. As the Navy’s requirements evolved, SRDRS changed into the current design of a remotely operated rescue vehicle and deck decompression chambers integrated with innovative transfer under pressure (TUP) technologies.
Oceaneering Understands Submarine Rescue Requirements
OII’s experience in support of the U.S. Navy, U.K., and NATO programs has enabled our team to gain an unparallel understanding of the full spectrum of submarine rescue requirements. This understanding and experience is a prerequisite for program success and extends beyond hyperbaric chamber and rescue vehicle technologies. It includes a wide range of supporting operations and technologies including:
- Vessel of opportunity operations, analyses, and selection criteria
- SRS mobilization improvements, system integration and verification testing, and ongoing ILS Management
- Search, tracking, and navigation/positioning systems
- Vessel mooring and dynamic positioning systems
- Intervention systems such as ROVs and ADS
- Participation in operational exercises with rescue systems (TUWVS, SRCs, DSRV, REMORA, LR-5, DSDS, and URF)
