International Submarine Escape and Rescue Liaison Office
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Last update 10 Dec 2009 |
News History
Italian SMEREX
The search exercise included DISSUB localization via the live activation of a SEPIRB buoy and the COSPAS-SARSAT chain; the escape was performed by three ITS Pelosi operators who were assisted once on the surface by the SPAG team. The team, alarmed by the IT SSRA immediately after the receipt of the alarm buoy signal, flew all the way from La Spezia (Luni heliport) to the area of operation, and was released in the water right next to the escapees.
Pictures are courtesy of CDR Antonio Tulliani 9thAsian Pacific Submarine Conference
16 nations were present to share information on submarine rescue systems. Three nations presented newly commissioned rescue systems : Singapore's DSAR-6 system on board M/S Swift rescue, a visit to the ship was offered to the attendees. The DSAR-6 and its support ship, the Swift Rescue, are rescue ready and present the peculiarity of being the first submarine rescue system to be held and operated by private companies. The Republic of Korea DSAR-5 is now commissioned and rescue ready. Similar to the DSAR-6 of the Singapore Navy, it has been delivered by James Fisher Defense. The People's Liberation Army Navy system, LR-7, has been delivered by Perry Slingsby System in the late 2008. It has now completed a deep-dive trial to more than 500 meters and conducted matings with PLA Navy submarines. It is now rescue ready and Chinese rescue team is looking forward for further training. Finally, all nations interested in the Asia-Pacific Area shared their view on submarine rescue in this region of the world. With the new systems coming in line, they agreed that East and South-East Asia waters were very well covered and that sharing information on national search and rescue capabilities will greatly improve the Submarine Rescue ability of each. SMER Working Group 2009
BOLD MINOTAUR 09NATO instigated a Submarine Escape and Rescue Exercise, know as Exercise BOLD MINOTAUR, Tuesday 5 May when a UK fictitious submarine 'HMS TALISMAN' failed to report in to COMSUBNORTH, the NATO Northern region SUBOPAUTH. In the unlikely event of such a submarine incident, a worldwide coordination effort occurs. This effort is coordinated using the NATO sponsored, funded and manned International Submarine Escape and Rescue Liaison Office (ISMERLO), out of Allied Submarine Command (ASC), Norfolk, Virginia. Through this website www.ismerlo.org, nations can offer assistance and the Submarine Rescue Authority (SSRA) can chose and coordinate the suitable assets to assist. BOLD MINOTAUR was conducted off the UK south coast and the SSRA used the UK Submarine Parachute Assistance Group (SPAG), with 6 Italians embedded, to parachute from a C-130 onto the datum and offer assistance to the 'survivors'. A UK support vessel, MV SLAMOOR acted as safety vessel and a UK Frigate, HMS ARGYLL was despatched with Escape First Reaction Stores, including medical staff, to recover the survivors and offer further medical attention.
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