Feature 3
They have also benefited from the
introduction of a modular manufacture
and outfitting philosophy.
Depth rated to 500m, the DSAR 500 is
9.6m in length, 3.8m in beam and weighs
23tonnes in air (the pressure hull being
constructed from Q1N steel). It is certified
to carry up to 16 rescuees, or a total rescue
payload of 1200kg.
To date JFD has been contracted for
two DSAR 500 rescue vehicles. DSAR-5
was ordered by South Korea in December
2006 to operate from the rescue mother
ship (MOSHIP) Chung Hae Jin. This
order builds on the company’s existing
relationship with the Republic of Korea
Navy, in particular ongoing support for the
service’s existing LR5K rescue submersible
(JFD supplied a new all-steel dry-mating
skirt to LR5K in September 2006, enabling
the Republic of Korea to achieve a dry
transfer from a submarine for the first
time in more than three years).
A second craft, DSAR-6, was ordered The Republic of Korea’s DSRV II is operated from the submarine rescue mother ship
in January 2007 as part of a new Cheong Hae Jin. (photo: Lloyd’s Register)
submarine rescue service for Singapore.
Unlike the South Korean order, which
is a direct commercial sale, JFD and skirt de-watering system. Also new is a control, are also fitted (port and starboard
its partner Singapore Technologies fully redundant integrated navigation/ in a mid-upper position, and fore and aft
Marine (ST Marine) are providing a communications system, and an autopilot beneath the pressure hull).
contractor-owned, contractor-operated with depth, attitude and heading hold. JFD notes that submersibles are
submarine rescue service to the Republic The integrated skirt is regarded as a typically built in one piece, but given
of Singapore Navy (RSN) under a 50:50 first, with all previous SRVs utilising an the accelerated delivery programmes
joint venture known as First Response external, detachable dry transfer skirt. requested by its clients (each requiring
Marine Pte Ltd (FRM). According to JFD, a skirt integrated into a customised vehicle to be delivered in
Through FRM, ST Marine and JFD the pressure hull affords reduced drag, less than two years) it formulated an
are working together to deliver a fully improved speed and endurance, improved alternative build strategy designed to
integrated submarine support and rescue handling, safer casualty handling and a make extensive use of pre-outfitting
MOSHIP and SRV, and operate and reduced working height when on deck. techniques. This new manufacture
maintain the service for a 20-year period. Lithium Polymer batteries, providing methodology has seen the pressure
The contract valued at S$400 million power to 120V and 24V primary circuits, hull assembled from three sections (all
(US$265.5 million), is the first private are fitted in steel pods external to the main stiffeners and flanges are external) with
public partnership deal for the RSN. hull. The new batteries are in fact about the internals built on GRP rafts (which
The support and rescue MOSHIP, 20% of the size and weight of those on also function as trim tanks) fleeted into
named Swift Rescue, was launched from LR5, and can be moved ~4m forward and the hull. External equipments are fitted
ST Marine’s Benoi yard on 29 November aft within the pods, allowing the DSAR to an aluminium exo-structure frame
2008. Following integration with DSAR-6 500 to trim from 30° bow down to 60° that attaches to a set of bolt points on
and acceptance trials, FRM is due to begin bow up in less than one minute. Also, this the pressure hull structure.
operations by the middle of 2009. saving in battery weight offsets the hull The DSAR-500 system design was
A number of major differences weight increase. developed and prototyped by JFD using
distinguish DSAR 500 from its progenitor Two 10kW electrically powered main the Inventor computer-aided design
LR5, notably its increased operating depth thrusters designed and built by JFD are (CAD) tool, extending the company’s use
(500m vice 400m), the use of a Lithium fitted aft (port and starboard) to provide of a 3-D electronic model to a complete
Polymer-based battery system, a more for a maximum speed of 3kts. Four SRV design for the first time. Detailed
capable trim system, diverless launch 3kW Sub Atlantic hydraulic auxiliary CAD design work was undertaken
and recovery, an integrated skirt, and a propulsors, for manoeuvring and hover in AutoCAD.
Warship Technology March 2009 23
WT_Mar09_p22+23+24.indd 2 3/4/09 9:38:36 PM
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