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Submarine Escape and Rescue (SMER)

A Submarine Escape and Rescue system is made for rescuing submariners in case a submarine is disabled, either at surface or on the seabed.

There are two main methods for submariners to escape from a submarine stranded on the seabed that is not able to surface:

Collective rescue - a Submarine Rescue Vessel (SRV) or a rescue chamber may be docked to the submarine in order to rescue the crew collectively. The submariners enter the rescue vessel or rescue chamber which is then brought to the surface. The main advantages with this method is that it is a dry method where the submariners are not exposed to the environment, and some systems with TUP (link TUP) capability can provide depressurisation in a controlled way to avoid decompression sickness. The downside is that the submariners are dependent on external recourses.

Individual escape - where the submariners may escape individually using an escape suit, getting out from the submarine and floating through the water individually to the surface. The advantage with this method is that it can be performed entirely by the submarine crew, independently from external support. The downside is that the submariners are exposed to uncontrolled depressurisation and potentially rough environmental conditions. There is also a risk for being separated while on the surface, making it difficult for rescue forces to find and recover the submariners.

Submarine rescue vessels, vehicles and chambers

The terminology defining a submarine rescue vessel and a submarine rescue vehicle is not standardised, both terms are used. However, the distinction between a rescue vehicle/vessel and a rescue chamber is clear.

Three principal designs of rescue systems are the most common:

1. The rescue chamber principle, where a down-haul cable is connected between the distressed submarine on the seabed, and the submarine rescue mothership on the surface. The rescue chamber is then used as an elevator between the distressed submarine and the rescue ship. The original McCann type rescue chamber which is still in use by several navies is of this design.

2. The free-swimming Submarine Rescue Vehicle (SRV) which is a miniature submarine that can operate independently without the requirement of a submarine rescue mothership.

3. Systems that can be seen as a combination of these two main principles have also been designed – the Australian Remora system and the similar US SRDRS system are based on the Remotely operated underwater vehicle principle. Power and control is provided from the submarine rescue mothership through an umbilical, and the operator onboard the submarine rescue mothership controls the rescue vehicle using the sensors and thrusters of the vehicle.

More information on submarine rescue and rescue systems can be found on:

The International SubMarine Escape and Rescue Liaison Office (ISMERLO): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISMERLO

The Royal Swedish Navy’s Submarine Escape and Rescue (SMER) system: (link to new wikipage)

NATO Submarine Rescue System NSRS: (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NATO_Submarine_Rescue_System)

US SRDRS: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SRDRS

LR-5: (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LR5_Submarine_Rescue_System)

AS-28: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_deep_submergence_rescue_vehicle_AS-28

Mcann-type rescue chambers: (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McCann_Rescue_Chamber)

Previous Submarine rescue systems:

US DSRV: (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_submergence_rescue_vehicle)

Australian Remora: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Submarine_Rescue_Vehicle_Remora

Escape suits:

Submarine Escape and Immersion Equipment (SEIE): (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Submarine_Escape_Immersion_Equipment)