Saved from under the sea by air

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A distressed submarine. People suffering, trapped under the sea. The oxygen is running low, the cold is increasing along with the darkness. A major task of Sorbet Royal is to train exactly this scenario and of course bring the trapped crew back to surface - back to life.

On board the Polish LECH there are special trained divers, doctors and rescuers whose job is to perform this task. The distressed submarine has been located. And the team is getting ready to receive the submarine crew which soon will ‘pop’ to surface and need treatment and care.

As there are no other possibilities left, it’s all about getting out of the submarine and reaching the surface. Because of the extreme pressure one is exposed to during the ascend there will be a need of decompressure equipment.

Today a Hercules aeroplane visited the Sorbet Royal exercise. Its cargo was ten special trained parachuters from the UK. They jumped from only 1200 feet in the target area, 12 NM off the coast of Frederikshavn. At first they dropped all the necessary equipment in a container, including a rescue raft with room for 25 people. The parachuters themselves jumped in teams of two and three.

Well arrived in the sea they swam to their equipment and got it into position for phase two. All this was done with 60 meters below sea.

Only 1200 feet above sea surface the Hercules lets go its cargo. The first two parachuters land exactly at the target.

Immediately after the landing, the parachuter rigs his equipment: Rescue raft, diving and first aid equipment.

In the meantime people were busy on board LECH; Doctors and divers were preparing for their tasks. As soon as the gear in the sea was ready, the signal was given to the distressed submarine and the trapped people could surface.

At first the escapees were taken on board the raft and from there by motorboat transported to the LECH. While on board the LECH they underwent a quick decompression and were skipped off to first aid.

The raft is ready - the operation can go on to phase two, bringing the crew in the distressed submarine to surface and place them safely in the rescue raft.

The wounded arrive from the depth with high speed because of the pressure inside the submarine from which they disembarked

The Mess on the LECH was quickly transformed into an advanced hospital. Doctor Bill Kalentzos from Greece, who normally works as a doctor at a Greek military hospital, tried to stay on top of the situation while patients kept coming with minor or severe damages.

“It was rough. Not at least because you have to work in a small room and you easily get carried away with people yelling and screaming all over the place. In the meantime you have to get an overview of what kind of damages people suffer from.” Bill Kalentzos said.

One of loudest is a man in shock, suffering from minor injuries; it’s the Danish Djon Solevad. He is doing his best to confuse the surrounding staff, creating a realistic environment.

His yelling and shouting is heard all over the LECH, and is understood by everyone regardless of nationality.

An hour later the wounded are enjoying a sandwich in the former hospital; the Mess. The exercise is evaluated by both the wounded and doctors on the upper deck.

The wounded are transported to LECH by a Rigid Inflatable Boat. On board LECH doctors and medics are ready to commence first aid.

“I’m very satisfied, it all went as planned.” Squadron Leader C. M. Murphy said. He is the supreme commander of the British Submarine Parachute Assistance Group. “The weather was actually perfect for this exercise, because if it had been too good, we wouldn’t have benefited enough from the exercise. Similarly, if it had been too bad we wouldn’t have done the routine as a part of an exercise. “

He was at the exercise as an observer, because Flight Lieutenant Gavin Walker, RAF, for the first time was the commanding officer of this part of the exercise.

“I must say that he did a good job. All I can say is: Well done” concludes a satisfied Squadron Leader.”  

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