Royal Navy divers and specialists from JFD and the Submarine Development Agency (SDA) have been practising rescue operations in Scotland.
Across four days towards the end of last month in the waters of Loch Linnhe near Fort William they took part in a four-day NATO Submarine Rescue System (NSRS) exercise trial. The NSRS is a tri-national Government capability jointly owned by France, Norway, and the U.K.
The NSRS Rescue Vessel is named Nemo, and its use is supported by a team of more than 150 trained personnel including divers and medics from the Royal Navy, French Navy, and Norwegian Navy, as well as hyperbaric nurses from QinetiQ and contractors from JFD Ltd.
The 35-tonne rescue sub can be deployed worldwide as needed, and last month’s training serial helps to ensure that the team is ready to respond to incidents whenever and wherever they occur. Nemo was transported to Fort William via low-loader lorry; if needed abroad she would likely hitch a ride on a cargo vessel.
As per a Royal Navy press statement the depth of the loch at Fort William provides the opportunity for Nemo’s pilots to hone their landing and docking skills on a submerged target.
It also allows the military Rescue Chamber Operators to open Nemo’s rescue hatch onto an underwater target, as would be required in any real-life submarine rescue operation.
Team Leader of the NSRS Commander Andy Sharp said: “The NSRS continues to be the most effective system within NATO for most conceivable submarine rescue situations, and it leads the world in its training regime.
“Exercises like this one prove to my submariner colleagues that we stand ready to assist, and although it is extremely unlikely that we will be needed, the assurance that we provide will be a comfort to those we ask to operate in the depths on behalf of the U.K.”
- You can read more details on the Royal Navy website