NAVY NEWS, JULY 2008 23
In leagues of t their or own
ula, South Africa, South Korea and Spain. The NSRS, built in the UK under a her tests and if needed, she could be used global capability potentially available to all
les contract with Rolls-Royce, will replace now. But formal acceptance takes some time submarine operating nations.
pio the existing LR5 rescue submersible and and paperwork, and we expect her to be
Scorpio ROV – the system which rescued
accepted in the late summer.”
LO,
A
mong the assets of interest to the
international community was the
Royal Navy’s SPAG (Submarine
the Priz in 2005.
Tom Heron said: “When her predecessor
nd
Parachute Assistance Group). The
The system comprises an ROV, an
LR5 was new the older subs were like
I
f Bold Monarch demonstrated
the importance of international
co-operation, the next step will be to
lk,
SPAG’s role is to be the first response to
unmanned craft which will locate the
Tiger Moths and she was the Concorde.
build multi-national rescue forces.
he
a rescue – the team parachutes in with
submarine and prepare it for rescue, and
“We want broader participation, more
LR5 is now the Tiger Moth and she is the
ew
inflatable boats, life rafts, medical and
a three-man Submarine Rescue Vehicle,
submarines and more rescue systems that
communications equipment and rations.
Concorde.”
affectionately (but unofficially) called Nemo
can operate and play this game and prove it
He added: “I feel very safe in this boat –
nal
Once in the water, the team’s role is
– after Jules Verne’s captain, not the Disney
all works,” confirmed Capt Dittmer.
she’s very tough and strongly-built. They’ve
to
to establish communications with the
fish, as chief pilot Tom Heron explained.
“When we look at where we are today in
given us all the tools we need to do the
ue
submarine, assist the crew in deciding the
The rescue vehicle will be flown out,
the field of submarine rescue, we haven’t
job, so we feel confident that if we had to
nt’s
best form of rescue, and relay the information
together with a portable launch and recovery
just come miles, we’ve made a couple of
back to the HQ.
system, and fitted on to a suitable ship at
go and do a real rescue we’ve got the right
circuits round the earth.
Italy has its own SPAG which regularly equipment.
of
a port near the incident. At the submarine
“The effort made by every nation
exercises with the RN’s and in Bold “When we practised on this exercise, the
ue
location the 30-tonne
here proves it. It’s been a wholly co-
Monarch the two teams practised a ‘hot
aid
SRV will dive up
insertion’ taking off from RAF Lyneham
“When we look at where we
delighted look on the operative international event, and it gives
a
to 610 metres
with ten specialist divers and crates of
are today, we haven’t just come
men’s faces as we us all great respect for the nations we’ve
at
(2,000ft) below the
transferred them told worked with.”
medical equipment.
miles, we’ve made a couple of
re,
sea to mate with the me there are a lot of
He continued: “There is a happy
“We also practised a parachute jump circuits around the earth.”
for
submarine’s escape happy submariners
community of submariners out there knowing
for the first time with the Russians, the
our
hatch and transfer out there. From the
we can get them out in an emergency. I
Ukrainians and the Greeks, all of whom are
up to 150 survivors to safety, in groups of surface to locking on the submarine took
never needed it in 25 years in the Navy and
looking to develop their SPAG capabilities,”
he
up to 15 at a time. us 17 minutes. It’s a comfort thing for
I didn’t want to, but it’s the confidence it’s
said Lt Andy Sharp, Officer Commanding
an
submariners to know we have this system.”
there if you need it.
SPAG.
on
He added: “The exercise was an ideal
The new US Submarine Rescue and
“It’s like the roadside assistance – when
to
opportunity for us to hone our skills, and it A
lthough based in Faslane, the NSRS
will be on standby to assist any
nation’s submarine anywhere in the
Diving Recompression System (SRDRS),
you’re driving your car around you don’t
also gave me the opportunity to talk to the world.
which uses a Remotely Operated Rescue
ever want to see those guys, but you need to
know they’ll be there if you need them.”
ce,
Chinese and Singaporeans, who are both “This system offers big advances in
Vehicle (RORV) with a tethered power and
he interested in developing SPAGs.” technology,” said Project Team Leader Cdr
control umbilical, was also on final proving
● Main picture: the NATO Submarine
ia, International interest also focused on Dickie Burston. “She’s brand-new, complex,
trials.
Rescue System is lowered into the water:
nd another new piece of kit – the NSRS (NATO and will need some refinements, but the
The two new systems complement each
and columns: the submarine parachute
ue Submarine Rescue System) jointly owned by transfer under pressure system is superb
other, both will be capable of worldwide
assistance group (SPAG) in training and
the UK, France and Norway, which has now and the naval divers and doctors were very
deployment and together with other national
the NSRS lowered into the water from
na, nearly completed its trials and should be impressed with it.” systems that are generally confined to
HNoMS Harstad
re, fully accepted into service later this year. He added: “We’ve finished 95 per cent of domestic littoral waters, could provide a Pictures: LA(Phot) Dave Jenkins
0022-023_NN_jul08.indd 222-023_NN_jul08.indd 2 220/6/08 13:15:440/6/08 13:15:44
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