Submarine Rescue Systems

The U.S. Navy has the world's most comprehensive rescue system for submarines in distress. It is capable of rendering assistance to submarines down to 2000 feet (609.6 meters), anywhere in the world. This system is unique in that it allows the submariners in distress to board a remote controlled rescue diving recompression system in groups of sixteen crewmembers and be brought up to the surface. Known as the  Submarine Rescue Diving Recompression System (SRDRS), the system is capable of mating with just about any submarine in the world and maintain itself in the horizontal position for recovery, even if the distressed submarine is tilted to either side,

The U.S. Navy’s system for submarine rescue consists of three parts:

Phoenix International Holdings, Inc. is contracted for the operation and maintenance of the US Navy’s Submarine Rescue Systems, in conjunction with Navy personnel. Phoenix has the responsibility for carrying out any rescue operation, and maintaining a state of readiness for immediate worldwide deployment on a 24/7 basis.

The AUWS includes four Atmospheric Dive System 2000 (ADS 2000) suits, three ADS 2000 Launch and Recovery Systems (LARS), Side Looking Sonar (SILOS), and the Lightweight Mooring System (LWMS). The SRS is comprised of the Submarine Decompression System (SDS) and the Pressurized Rescue Module System (PRMS). Both the AUWS and SRS are further composed of ancillary support and connectivity equipment. The SRCFS is comprised of the two Submarine Rescue Chambers and associated support equipment.

All elements of the US Navy submarine rescue program are stored, maintained, and ready for mobilization at Navy owned facilities on Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego, California. The importance of such a rescue system to submariners cannot be emphasized enough. In the instance that a submarine of any of the world’s navies is incapacitated between 150 to 2000ft deep, it is the only means of effective rescue of the crew.