A deep-submergence rescue vehicle is a type of deep-submergence vehicle used for rescue of downed submarines and clandestine missions. While DSRV is the term most often used by the United States Navy, other nations have different designations for their vehicles.
operates, equipped with the SRV-300 submersible in a submarine rescue role
The SRV-300, built by Drass-Galeazzi, was delivered in 1999 and can operate up to depth, hosting 12 persons in the rescue compartment. The submarine, modified as deployable in 2010, operates from the mother ship Anteo.
SRV-300 replaced MSM-1S/USEL, which was built by Cantieri Navali Breda, launched on 11 November 1978, 13.2 t displacement, fitting 10 persons in the rescue compartment.
SRV-300 will be replaced by a new version under development, the DRASS Galeazzi SRV-650 with a maximum depth of and with an hosting capability of 15 persons in the rescue compartment, developed for operations from the new Italian future mother ship ARS / USSP.
The Korean navy operates a submarine rescue ship called Cheong Haejin. It has a dedicated mother ship. The model is based on a modified British design.
Russian models
is believed to have one vessel of the Bester class and five of the Priz class, which was involved in the failed attempt to rescue the crew of Kursk.
, launched 29 November 2008, is Singapore's first and only submarine recovery vessel. It is equipped with a deep submergence rescue vehicle. The vessel consisted of a Submarine Support and Rescue Vessel SSRV mother vessel proper and an integrated Submarine Rescue Vehicle, built by ST Marine at its Benoi Shipbuilding Yard in Singapore with its UK joint venture partner based on its proprietary Deep Search and Rescue 500 Class submarine rescue vehicle platform, It also has an underwater drone ROV and a helipad. The Republic Of Singapore Navy has signed submarine rescue agreement with Australia, , Malaysia, , United States to assist in submarine rescue efforts for their respective submarine fleets.
United States models
The mode of deployment for these United States submersibles is: fly the vehicle to the port closest to the incident; attach the vehicle to a host submarine; the host submarine travels to the incident site; rescue. The DSRVs were originally designed to work with and, but those two vessels have since been decommissioned and replaced by the Submarine Rescue Diving Recompression System.
- Deactivation begun on 1 October 2008. Replaced with remotely operated tethered SRDRS.
The Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle is designed to rescue 24 people at a time at depths of up to. Their maximum operating depth is. Power is provided by two large batteries, one fore, and one aft that power the electrical, hydraulic and life support systems. The DSRV uses mercury in a completely sealed system to allow themselves to match any angle in both pitch and roll so as to "mate" to a downed submarine that may be at an angle on the sea floor. The DSRV is capable of being transported by Air Force C-5 to anywhere in the world within 24 hours. It is then loaded onto a "Mother Submarine". The MOSUB then carries the DSRV to the rescue site where several trips are made to rescue all personnel. Rescue is usually accomplished by ferrying rescuees from the stranded sub to the MOSUB, however, they can also be taken to a properly equipped surface support ship. In addition to a number of U.S. Navy submarines being outfitted for MOSUB capabilities, several NATO countries also have submarines outfitted to carry the U.S. Navy DSRV for rescue capability as needed. Both the UK and French Navies have such submarines. The interior of the DSRV is composed of three spheres. The forward sphere is the "Control Sphere" where the DSRV's pilot and copilot operate the vehicle. The two aft spheres are used to seat the rescuees or to install equipment for additional operations. Maneuvering is accomplished using four thrusters and one main propeller.
