Submarine Rescue Diving and Recompression System Completes Certification

The certification concluded with a final manned dive in the waters near Naval Air Station North Island, Calif., March 6, and marks the culmination of a multi-year collaboration between the Undersea Rescue Command (URC), Submarine Squadron 11, Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Commander, Submarine Forces, Naval Sea Systems Command, Program Executive Office Attack Submarines, and the Undersea Special Missions Program Office (PMS 390).

"This successful dive signifies a major milestone for the Navy," said Rear Adm. Jonathan Rucker, Program Executive Officer, Attack Submarines. "We hold ourselves to extremely high standards in the undersea community. Going through this process shows that the team is ready to meet and exceed those standards. This accomplishment is a direct result of the whole team's dedication."

The SRDRS is a remotely operated system capable of rescuing submarine crews in cases of emergency and can deploy anywhere in the world within 96 hours. With the successful system certification, the URC team is authorized to assist in submarine rescues globally, joining an international force of experts ready to help those in need.

"Our Submarine Force operates, along with our allies and partners, in challenging undersea environments that span the entire globe. It is critical for us to have an undersea rescue capability that underpins the extensive training our submariners receive and that allows us to respond worldwide in the event of a distressed submarine," said Rear Adm. Chris Cavanaugh, commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet. "I commend the team of experts that helped us to achieve this important certification and to maintain our legacy of safe operations beneath the seas."

The SRDRS is one of the Navy's primary undersea rescue capabilities and is designed to support both U.S. and allied rescue operations worldwide. Its main component, the Pressurized Rescue Module (PRM), is a tethered, remotely operated vehicle capable of rescuing up to 16 personnel per sortie.

"Being onboard the PRM during its certification dive to 2,000 feet was an awe-inspiring experience, demonstrating the effectiveness of this system, and the professionalism and expertise of the entire team," said Capt. David McGlone, Program Manager for PMS 390.

"There are a lot of moving parts in any evolution like this, it's not as simple as 'dive down and open the hatch.' The equipment is complex, and the crew operating and maintaining it must be experts at what they do. Being here, observing the team at work, diving in the vehicle, seeing the entire system operate to perform its intended function - I can confidently say I'm impressed."

Once activated, the SRDRS was put to the test in two separate dives. In the first demonstration, the system submerged unmanned to a depth of 2,000 feet. Following the unmanned dive, the team underwent a review process before submerging again, this time with a crew, to a mating fixture called Deep Seat.

URC personnel, comprised of active and reserve component Sailors, and civilian contractors, operate the SRDRS as the U.S. Navy's only submarine rescue-capable command.

For more information on the SRDRS, view the system's fact file here.