Feature 2 | Submarine reScue
the capsule via its painter, which can then be
used to manoeuvre the raft back to the boat
to enable the escaping crew to get on board.
Entry into the life raft is via one of the two
large doors on the side of the raft, both of
which are fitted with hand-holds, as well as
an additional boarding step provided on one
side of the life raft, to assist entry.
The need for absolute reliability of this
safety system posed some considerable
technical challenges for the Babcock team.
Among these was the severely restricted
space available to house the raft systems
beneath the submarine casing, making the
design task considerably more onerous.
Additionally the materials had to withstand
both the operational requirements and
the hostile marine environment, as well as
ensuring reliable operation, as the system
The life raft is launched during Harbour acceptance Trials – to enable it to survive at depth
will remain static for long periods but must
it is housed within a glass-reinforced plastic (GrP) container.
activate immediately on demand.
Supplies
can be used. Alternatively, the system can be of the life raft by submariners who have The life raft contains a reduced SOLAS Pack
deployed using the forward and aft external abandoned the boat, and also to aid location A, the items from which are either attached
release hand wheels, in which case, the GRP of the stricken submarine once the Global to the life raft or contained inside the pack
hatch cover and container-retaining strap are Positioning System (GPS) search-and-rescue situated within the raft. This reduced pack
released, and the container armed. emergency beacon is activated. contains the basics for survival. Space
If activated when the submarine is If the submarine is on the surface when constraints preclude inclusion of the full pack
submerged, the capsule will float free of the the system is activated, the GRP container within the life raft package, but the remainder
submarine under its own buoyancy, which remains in its cradle while the life raft is of the SOLAS Pack A is contained in two
automatically arms the system. The primary ejected from the capsule. The raft will inflate grab bags stored in the escape compartment,
container remains attached to the submarine on the casing of the submarine, or may fall with the intention that these may be taken
via a 700m tether, to facilitate location overboard where it will remain attached to out through the escape hatch to supplement
Cameras and high-res sonar for submarine rescue vehicles
Two new submarine rescue vehicles (SrVs) built by James Fisher Defence for the republic of Korea navy and the
republic of Singapore navy have entered operation with extensive camera and sonar packages supplied by
Kongsberg maritime Ltd.
The SrVs were developed using experience gained by James Fisher Defence during decades of support for the uK’s
Lr5. both feature a number of enhancements over existing technology including the ability to operate at a depth of 500m,
where visibility is poor so high-quality imaging equipment is vital for a safe rescue operation.
“The importance of high quality, reliable imaging systems cannot be overstated during a submarine rescue,” said
ben Sharples, underwater Projects Director, James Fisher Defence. “The rescue teams rely on the cameras and sonars to
ensure safe operations under very stressful conditions, so they should provide a high standard of imagery in addition to
being up to the job of operating in extreme conditions. Kongsberg maritime was able to provide a cost-effective package
that met these requirements.”
The DSar-5 for the republic of Korea has Oe15-103 low-light ccD and Oe14-367 colour zoom cameras in addition to the
Oe10-101 pan and tilt unit. it also features a powerful Kongsberg mesotech sonar system with the mS1000 sonar processor,
complete with remote keypad, high-resolution (330kHz) sonar head, 1007 Series altimeter.
DSar-6 will be operated over a 20-year contract on behalf of the republic of Singapore navy by James Fisher Defence
and its partner ST marine through a joint venture called First response marine Pte Ltd. it features similar sonar system
configuration to DSAR-5 but utilises a OE15-102 low-light CCD and OE14-366 colour zoom cameras.
18 Warship Technology March 2010
WT_Mar-2010_p17-18-19.indd 18 23/02/2010 15:52:53
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