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United States - Units and Systems
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| Deep Submergence Unit (DSU) was commissioned October 1, 1989 consolidating the former Submarine Rescue Unit
(SRU), for deep submergence vehicle commands and two detachments of Commander Submarine Development Group 1. DSU administers and coordinates the activities of a majority of the Navy's deep submergence assets.
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The three subordinate world-wide deployable detachments of DSU are: DSRV-1 MYSTIC, Diving Systems Support and Unmanned Vehicles. DSU also staffs five core support departments: Administration, Planning & Estimating, Operations, Repair and Supply.
The detachments primary mission is to maintain a world-wide, rescue ready, submarine rescue capability. The supporting departments provide all necessary functions in support of local and deployed operations.
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 | Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicles MYSTIC (DSRV 1) and AVALON (DSRV 2) are manned submersibles capable of diving to 5000 feet. AVALON
(DSRV 2) is currently in a lay-up status, but remains part of the DSU inventory of rescue assets. The MYSTIC’s primary mission is the rapid rescue of personnel from a disabled submarine anywhere in the world. In an emergency, they would load into a U.S. Air Force C-5 aircraft
at NAS North Island, fly to a location near the disabled submarine, load onto a specially configured submarine (know as a Mother Submarine or
MOSUB) and are carried "piggy back" to the downed submarine. The vehicle is certified for use on LOS ANGELES class
SSNs, the Royal Navy VANGUARD class SSBN, and French L’INDOMITABLE Class
SSBN. |
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| DSU Detachment Unmanned Vehicles (UMV) primary tasking is to provide worldwide submarine rescue support in conjunction with DSRV and SRC operations. Additionally, they possess the ability to conduct deep ocean search, recovery and scientific research and survey. UMV operates two tethered “Super SCORPIO” 45 horsepower work vehicles and a KLEIN 2000 side looking sonar search system that is remotely operated from a surface support ship. These assets operate at depths down to 5,000 feet and can remain submerged for extended periods of time. |
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| DSU Diving Systems Support Detachment (DSSD) consists of U.S. Navy Deep Sea Divers who provide world-wide deployable Submarine Rescue Chamber
(SRC) service capable of rescuing personnel from a disabled submarine to depths of 850 feet. In addition, they maintain and operate SCUBA systems to provide diving support for the other DSU detachments and San Diego commands. DSSD is currently in the process of developing and certifying the Atmospheric Diving System (ADS). This system enables a diver to dive to 2000 feet while remaining at one atmosphere. This is the world’s deepest diving system. It will be used for disabled submarine survey, life support pod placement, and facilitation of SRC operations. |
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| Unmanned Vehicle Detachment deploys 2 Super Scorpio remotely operated vehicles
(ROV) and a Klein 2000 side scan sonar system, and is capable of providing rapid, short notice worldwide flyaway coverage if necessary.
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Super Scorpio Remotely
Operated Vehicle
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Super Scorpio Remotely
Operated Vehicle
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| The Super Scorpio ROV
is a highly versatile self-contained submersible that operates down to
depths of 5,000 feet and consists of the vehicle, handling system,
maintenance van and an operations van all flyaway capable on a USAF C-5
Galaxy transport.
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Super Scorpio Remotely
Operated Vehicle
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Features
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| Maximum Depth: 5000 feet |
| Weight: 4,800 lbs. |
| Dimensions: 6’ tall x 4’ wide x 8’ long |
| Hydraulics: 2,500 psi at 32 gpm, using 5606H oil |
| Sonar: High-Frequency search sonar capable of range coverage from 20 to 2,000 feet |
| Manipulators: Two each: Conan style multi-function, each capable of lifting 350 pounds at full reach. |
| Lighting: Three 250 watt incandescent and two high intensity HMI lights. |
| Cameras: Various camera combinations using CCD type black and white cameras, a one-chip color camera, or a special “pencil” camera used in conjunction with special tools. |
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| The Klein 2000 side scan sonar system is used to conduct deep ocean searches. When UMV is tasked to inspect and/or recover objects of interest from the ocean floor with a
ROV, the object must first be located. The Klein 2000 system consists of a side-scan
towfish, an overboard deployment sheave, a tow cable/tow winch and a recording device.
UMV employs two types of towfish, each with different operating frequencies. The 50 kHz towfish provides increased target range with adequate target definition and can be towed at a higher speed. The dual frequency 100/500 kHz towfish detects targets with improved target detail and clarity but is normally towed at a slower speed. Mission requirements dictate towfish frequency selection.
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Features
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| Weight: 48lbs |
| Length: 48” |
| Diameter: 3.5” |
| Tow speed: 1-6 knots |
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| The Submarine Rescue Chamber (SRC) is a flyaway system capable of worldwide submarine rescue missions. Once launched, the SRC is able to operate around the clock. It is operated by the Diving Systems Detachment of the U.S. Navy's Deep Submergence Unit.
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Flyaway capable on one C-5
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Operating Features of the SRC
| Maximum Depth: 850 feet (260 meters) |
| Weight: 21,600 lbs. dry (93 kN), 1,000 lbs. (4.4 kN) buoyant in
water |
| Crew: 2 operators and 6 passengers |
| Transport: Flyaway capable on one C-5 or two C-17s
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Components:
Upper compartment - Maintained at atmospheric pressure.
Contains operators,
passengers and controls.
Lower compartment - Flooded at ambient sea pressure. Blown dry
after mating to transfer personnel. Contains downhaul drum and
spooling device.
Ballast tanks - Normally dry. Flooded during mating process to
provide additional weight.
Downhaul gear
Air motor
Water ballast cans
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SRC being loaded onto the aircraft.
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SRC being loaded onto the aircraft.
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SRC being loaded onto the aircraft.
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Support Equipment
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| Provides air, power and communications. This equipment includes a control console, rack mounted air banks, a diesel driven high pressure air compressor, diesel driven generators, and a light weight mooring system capable of a 2,000 foot moor.
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Below are pictures of SRC and support equipment loading out
for EXERCISE SORBET ROYAL 2002
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Rack mounted air banks being loaded
into the C5 aircraft
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US Air force C5 Galaxy Aircraft
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Loading Support Equipment
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Loading Support Equipment
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Operations
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| Downhaul wire is attached to the submarine hatch by divers, Atmosphere Diving System, or Unmanned Vehicle. |
| SRC uses the downhaul wire to drive down to the submarine. |
| SRC mates with the submarine and a seal is formed by differential pressure and augmented by hold down rods. |
| Lower compartment of the SRC drains. |
| Submarine hatch is opened and personnel are transferred into SRC. |
| Water ballast cans which are used to compensate for the weight of passengers are drained into the submarine. |
| Hold down rods are removed and the downhaul wire is reattached. |
| Seal is broken and the SRC travels to the surface where personnel are transferred to a support vessel.
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Diving Systems Detachment History
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Diving Systems Detachment (DSD) operates out of the Deep Submergence Unit on Naval Air Station North Island in Coronado, California. In addition to operating and maintaining two Submarine Rescue Chambers, DSD operates as the underwater rigging experts for submarine recovery operations.
In the 1930's Navy Commander A. E. McCann and Lieutenant Commander Swede
Momson built the McCann/Erickson rescue chamber, what is now known as the Submarine Rescue Chamber. This was done in response to the loss of the USS S-4 earlier in the decade.
In 1939 Momson and his Experimental Diving Unit were dispatched to rescue the Sailors of the downed USS SQUALUS. Due to the efforts of Momson's unit, 33 of the 53 Sailors aboard SQUALUS were saved. This system is the only system ever deployed for an actual submarine rescue.
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