Feature 3 | SUBMARINE RESCUE
New rescue craft for South Korea
and Singapore
UK engineering and services group James Fisher Defence (JFD) has
recently shipped two new DSAR (Deep Search and Rescue) 500 series free-
swimming submarine rescue vehicles (SRVs), for service with customers in
South Korea and Singapore.
T
he DSAR 500 marque has leveraged
JFD’s experience of the materiel
design, in-service support and
operation of LR5, the manned component
of the UK Submarine Rescue Service
(UKSRS), until the latter’s stand-down at
the end of November 2008.
Although what was Vickers Slingsby
(the heritage of which can now be traced
to Perry Slingsby) was responsible for
delivering the original GRP hull LR5
rescue submersible to the UK, the
vehicle was in fact substantially rebuilt
in service by JFD during the course of
its service life. Indeed, the fact that the
vehicle retained the LR5 designation
has somewhat obscured the degree of
modification and replacement embodied
through-life.
LR5 was originally built as a commercial The Republic of Korea’s DSRV II achieved a dive depth of 507m during sea acceptance
diver lock-out submersible. To enable tests. (photo: Lloyd’s Register)
its use in the submarine rescue role, the
vehicle was fitted with a GRP dry transfer
skirt and in 1984 performed a first dry further development, and indeed Lloyd’s 2008, being replaced by the tripartite
transfer for the UK Royal Navy. A first Register de-rated its certified diving NATO Submarine Rescue System.
transfer under pressure was performed depth from 460m to 400m. As a result, The vehicle, and other assets of the
two years later. JFD was tasked to rebuild the original UKSRS, has now been acquired by JFD
Between 1984 and 1989, JFD was vehicle for the UK Ministry of Defence from the MoD, and is being marketed
responsible for an iterative programme of (MoD) so as to further improve capability internationally for further service as the
vehicle upgrades and technology insertions whilst at the same time addressing James Fisher Submarine Rescue System
to improve its performance as a rescue various performance, obsolescence and (JFSRS). LR5 itself has a predicted
vehicle. These included new auxiliary certification issues. future life of a further 20 years of
thrusters to enhance manoeuvrability, This work, implemented in two service, and has recently completed
a new rudder system, a conning tower phases, entailed the introduction of a refit and major survey as part of
extension to improve safe abandonment, an all-new, 25-year-life steel hull, a her four-year certification cycle with
a drop weight system to provide increased horizontal Transfer Under Pressure Lloyd’s Register. The JFSRS has been
buoyancy and potentially increased (TUP) capability, new twin electric under contract to provide rescue cover
payload, a modified air system, modified main propulsors, a battery trim system for the Royal Australian Navy since 1
battery pod charging to allow for in-situ and a capacity for up to 16 rescuees. In December 2008.
recharging, and an uprated life support effect it resulted in the total renewal of Evolved from the LR5 vehicle, the new
system to enable up to nine rescuees to the propulsion system, rescue chamber, DSAR 500 SRVs have been designed
be embarked. power module and command module. by JFD to incorporate a number of
However, the original GRP pressure LR5 remained in service with the engineering improvements, technology
hull design of LR5 was a straightjacket to UKSRS until the end of November insertions and additional features.
22 Warship Technology March 2009
WT_Mar09_p22+23+24.indd 1 3/4/09 9:38:30 PM
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