Delivery and Deployment of the U.S. Navy’s Submarine Rescue System
Andrew DeSpirito Advanced Undersea Systems Program Office (PMS394) Naval Sea Systems Command Agenda
• Submarine Rescue Diving and Recompression System (SRDRS) Overview • CONOPS • Vessels of Opportunity (VOOs) • Classification and Certification • Conclusions • Questions
12/9/2008 SNAME Chesapeake Section 2 Submarine Rescue Diving and Recompression System Overboarding Power Umbilical Load Sheave Alleviator Deck Transfer Control Lock Van SDC Umbilical No. 1 Lift Line Umbilical Gas Winch Racks Lift Winch
Cursor Frame SITS
SDC Umbilical No. 2
PRM Auxiliary Van Generator Van TS VOO
12/9/2008 SNAME Chesapeake Section 3 Operational Parameters
• Design Depth: 2,000 fsw • Max. Operational Sea State: 4 • Max. Current Speed: 2.5 kts • Max. DISSUB Angle: 45° • Max. DISSUB Internal Pressure: 5 ata • Rescue Capability: 155 DISSUB Personnel
12/9/2008 SNAME Chesapeake Section 4 History
• Original concept was a “saturation diving system” – Diving bell carried divers to DISSUB – Divers cleared hatch and prepared for DSRV rescue • Not intended as a rescue platform
12/9/2008 SNAME Chesapeake Section 5 History
• Revised concept included a pressurized rescue module to rescue sailors from DISSUB • Remotely operated from control van mounted on the rescue vessel
12/9/2008 SNAME Chesapeake Section 6 SRDRS Concept Development
1992 1994 1996 1998 Present
Remotely Operated Atmospheric Atmospheric Diving Suit Vehicle (ROV) Diving Suit (ADS) (ADS)
Saturation Diving System
Recompression Subsystem
Deep Submergence Pressurized Rescue Module Rescue Vehicle (PRM) and Surface (DSRV) Decompression System (SDS)
12/9/2008 SNAME Chesapeake Section 7 SRDRS Configurations
Submarine Rescue System – Rescue Capable System (SRS-RCS) • Capable of performing Umbilical submarine rescue not Winch requiring decompression PRMS Gas Rack treatment Control Van • Currently certified DSRV Spares Van LARS Deck rescue seats will require no Cradle additional work or analysis to remain certified PRM • Permits retiring of DSRV 2 Generator • 2,904 ft footprint Van Logistics • 153 LT weight Van • Rescue Ready 30 Sep 2008
12/9/2008 SNAME Chesapeake Section 8 SRDRS Configurations
Submarine Rescue System – Transfer Under Pressure (SRS-TUP) • Capable of pressurized Umbilical SDC rescue up to 5 ata Winch Control Van • Transfer under DTL
pressure from PRM via LARS Deck Transfer Lock to PRM Surface Decompression Chambers 2 • 3,332 ft footprint Gas • 224 LT weight Racks Generator • Planned completion in Van SDC 2013 Auxiliary Van Spares Van
12/9/2008 SNAME Chesapeake Section 9 Concept of Operations
RESCUE DEPOT • Prepare/secure SRS equipment • Load out onto trailers • Load out (roll-on) aircraft Air Transport RESCUE AIRFIELD • Offload aircraft • Load out trailers DISSUB • Transit from airport to port ALERT • Stow air transport pallets Truck Mobilize Ground Aircraft SUBMISS Transport
RESCUE PORT • Reposition Cranes Load SRS • Offload SRS Trailers on VOO RESCUE SITE • Loadout SRS on VOO VOO Transit • Secure SRS to Templates Transit to • Test/Checkout SRS DISSUB • Secure VOO for Transit DISSUB SITE
Move into Moor over Rescue Operations Decompression Operations Return DISSUB (PRM) (SDS) to Port
12/9/2008 SNAME Chesapeake Section 10 Pressurized Rescue Module System (PRMS)
• Consists of the Pressurized Rescue Module (PRM), Transfer Skirt, Control Van, and other supporting equipment • Provides the capability to transport DISSUB personnel to the surface to be transferred to SDS for controlled decompression
Pressurized Rescue Module
Transfer Skirt
12/9/2008 SNAME Chesapeake Section 11 Pressurized Rescue Module System (PRMS)
General Characteristics • LOA: ~24 ft • Width: 8 ft • Height: 8 ft (w/o Skirt) 14.5 ft (w/Skirt) • Weight: 45,242 lbs • Displacement: 45,500 lbs • Buoyancy: +200 lbs • Crew: 2 attendants 16 rescuees
12/9/2008 SNAME Chesapeake Section 12 SRS Handling System
Launch and Recovery System (LARS) • Designed for installation on Vessels of Opportunity (VOOs) • Lightweight and compact design • Active Motion Compensation System to mitigate snap loading on lift lines • Launch Latch Assembly provides active pitch control • Cursor Frame allows PRM mating with ±30° misalignment
12/9/2008 SNAME Chesapeake Section 13 SRS Handling System
Overboarding Umbilical Power Sheave Load Alleviator
Launch Latch Assembly Ship Interface Template Sets Overboarding Cylinder
Lift Line Hydraulic Power Unit
Cursor Frame
Lift Winch
12/9/2008 SNAME Chesapeake Section 14 Mission Support Equipment
Ship Interface Template Set (SITS) • Provides structural support to the SRDRS elements • Welded to the VOO deck • Designed to enable rapid alignment and integration of SRDRS elements Deck Cradle • Structural frame used to support and secure PRM on the VOO deck
12/9/2008 SNAME Chesapeake Section 15 Vessels of Opportunity (VOOs)
• Commercial or naval vessels that are in the vicinity of the DISSUB and may be used as platforms to carry out SRDRS operations • VOOs eliminate dependence on specially modified submarines (MOSUBs) or ships (MOSHIPs) • Candidate VOOs include Offshore Supply Vessels (OSVs), Platform Support Vessels (PSVs), and Anchor Handling Tug-Supply (AHTS) Vessels • A large pool of VOOs are available worldwide and will facilitate rapid rescue response
12/9/2008 SNAME Chesapeake Section 16 Vessels of Opportunity (VOOs)
VOO Requirements
Seakeeping • Length: 220 ft (min) • Beam: 40 ft (min)
Personnel Accommodations: 25 persons (min)
Available Deck Area 98 ft x 34 ft (min)
Minimum Deck Strength • Static 614 lbf/ft2 under LARS 512 lbf/ft2 overall • Dynamic 1,024 lbf/ft2
Position-Keeping • Maintain position within a watch circle <500 ft radius using 4-point moor • Pursuing change to Navy requirements to permit use of DP ships (ABS DPS-2 minimum)
12/9/2008 SNAME Chesapeake Section 17 Minimum Ship Methodology
• Methodology for quickly assessing whether the deck of a particular VOO has sufficient structural strength to support the installation of the SRDRS • Common structural features of various VOOs used to create a longitudinally-framed and a transversely-framed “paper ship” • Scantlings for these models calculated using the ABS Steel Vessel Rules (Under 90m) and the DNV Rules for Classification of Ships (Under 100m) • Models analyzed for loads transmitted to the deck through the SITS using FEA • These structural models create the complete “Minimum Ship” design • Potential VOOs can be compared to these minimum ships in order to quickly assess their suitability as a platform for the SRDRS
12/9/2008 SNAME Chesapeake Section 18 What is Classification?
• Classification certifies adherence to a recognized set of technical standards • Represents that marine facilities possess the structural and mechanical integrity required for the intended service as represented by the “Class notation” • The classification process involves: – Establishing industry accepted standards known as “Rules” – Reviewing the designs against these standards – Ensuring that the equipment is built in accordance with the approved plans and maintained to these accepted standards during their entire life cycle • Marine facilities built to meet the requirements of the Rules are “Classed”
12/9/2008 SNAME Chesapeake Section 19 Who Provides Classification Services?
• Classification services are offered by independent third-party organizations known as “Classification Societies” • Major Classification Societies include: – American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) – Lloyd’s Register of Shipping (LRS) – Det Norske Veritas (DNV) – Germanischer Lloyd (GL)
12/9/2008 SNAME Chesapeake Section 20 Application of Classification to SRDRS
• ABS is working with the U.S. Navy to support the development, deployment, and operation of SRDRS • Areas of involvement include: – Classification of several elements, including the Launch and Recovery System (LARS), Deck Cradle, Umbilical Handling System, and Ship Interface Template Sets (SITS) – Third-party independent design review and survey services for the pressure hull and Transfer Skirt of the Pressurized Rescue Module System (PRMS) – Development of the “minimum ship methodology” for VOOs – Survey support during deployment of SRDRS
12/9/2008 SNAME Chesapeake Section 21 Paradigm Shift for Navy Certification
• U.S. Navy Deep Submergence Systems traditionally certified to System Certification Procedures and Critieria Manual for Deep Submergence Systems (“P-9290”) – Appendix H allows for Handling System certification by ABS in lieu of NAVSEA • Advantages of ABS Classification: – On-site survey during construction (no SUPSHIP present at any SRDRS contractor sites) – ABS Rules are modified more frequently and more quickly than P-9290 and other applicable Navy standards – Time and cost savings during operations and maintenance over entire SRDRS life-cycle due to worldwide ABS presence • Additional benefit discovered – leverage ABS experience with potential VOOs to support time-critical rescue operations with 24/7 emergency response
12/9/2008 SNAME Chesapeake Section 22 Interface and Cooperation
• Unique nature of SRDRS certification required development of additional guidelines above P-9290 and ABS Rules • NAVSEA-ABS Memorandum of Agreement – Provides procedures for: • Initial certification of components • Sustaining certification of components • Installation certification and deployment authorization of SRDRS aboard a VOO • “ABS-Plus” Requirements – Tailoring of existing Navy standards or modification of ABS Rules as agreed to by NAVSEA and ABS
12/9/2008 SNAME Chesapeake Section 23 Design Review and Surveys of ABS-Classed SRDRS Elements Conducted in accordance with the applicable requirements of: • ABS Rules for Building and Classing Underwater Vehicles, Systems, and Hyberbaric Facilities (2002), Appendix 4 (Certification of Handling Systems) • Other applicable Rules, such as ABS Rules for Building and Classing Steel Vessels • “ABS-Plus” Requirements
12/9/2008 SNAME Chesapeake Section 24 System Testing and Acceptance
• ABS Surveyors provided on-site surveys during construction and witnessing of Factory Acceptance Tests in Vancouver, Baltimore, and Scotland • ABS Surveyors provided installation certification in San Diego and Norway for sea trials and BOLD MONARCH • ABS issued Class Certificates for the Handling System and SITS to support US Navy certification and delivery of the system • ABS continues to support construction of additional SRDRS components (SITS and LARS)
12/9/2008 SNAME Chesapeake Section 25 SRDRS Sea Trials
System successfully completed Navy certification sea trials in April 2008 • Manned testing authorized 10 Mar 2008 • Certified for manned use 17 Apr 2008
12/9/2008 SNAME Chesapeake Section 26 BOLD MONARCH 2008
Complete success off Norwegian coast May-June 2008 • 13 successful mates to Norwegian, Dutch, and Polish submarines • 203 personnel transferred
12/9/2008 SNAME Chesapeake Section 27 Conclusions
• SRS-RCS provides mobile, rapidly deployable worldwide submarine rescue response, without the burdensome logistical trail of DSRV • ABS involvement in classification and certification represents a paradigm shift for the Navy, leveraging commercial experience and interfaces with vessel owners • International cooperation will grow the pool of candidate VOOs and improve rescue response timelines
12/9/2008 SNAME Chesapeake Section 28 Questions?
12/9/2008 SNAME Chesapeake Section 29