Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle - DSRV
Description: Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicles perform rescue operations on submerged, disabled submarines of the U.S. Navy or foreign navies.
Features: DSRV s are designed for quick deployment in the event of a submarine accident. DSRV s are transportable by truck, aircraft, ship, or by specially configured attack submarine. At the accident site, the DSRV works with either a mother ship or mother submarine. The DSRV dives, conducts a sonar search, and attaches to the disabled submarine s hatch. DSRV s can embark up to 24 personnel for transfer to the mother vessel.
Background: DSRV s were developed as a result of the USS Thresher submarine accident in 1963, when all hands were lost. At the time, submarine operating depths greatly exceeded the capabilities of rescue vessels. The Deep Submergence Systems Project contracted with Lockheed Missiles and Space, Co. to produce a deep diving rescue submarine, the first of which was launched in 1970.
Point of Contact:
Commanding Officer
Attention: Code D745
NCCOSC RDTE Division
53560 Hull Street
San Diego, Calif. 92152-5001
General Characteristics, DSRV
Builder: Lockheed Missiles and Space, Co., Sunnyvale, Calif.
Power Plant: Electric motors, silver/zinc batteries, one shaft, 15 shaft horsepower, four thrusters, 7.5
horsepower.
Length: 49 feet (15 meters)
Beam: 8 feet (2.4 meters)
Displacement: 38 tons (38.61 metric tons)
Speed: 4 kts
Maximum depth: 5,000 feet (1524 meters)
Sonar: Search and navigation
Ships:
Mystic (DSRV-1)
Avalon (DSRV-2)
Crew: Two pilots, two rescue personnel and the capacity for 24 passengers
