JFD Deep-Sea Search and Rescue Vehicle trials

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JFD says the completion of harbour acceptance trials for its first Deep Search and Rescue Vehicle (DSRV) for the Indian Navy marks a significant milestone in the contract delivery.

JFD's third generation Submarine Rescue System maximises the chances of successfully rescuing the crew of a distressed submarine (DISSUB)

The contract to supply its third generation Submarine Rescue System, which maximises the chances of successfully rescuing the crew of a distressed submarine (DISSUB), is worth £193 million to the company.

“The completion of the initial harbour acceptance trials for the first DSRV, to be delivered to the Indian Navy, is an important step in the delivery of this contract,” said Ben Sharples, India DSRV Project Director at JFD.

"We are pleased of the progress that has been made in delivering on this important contract and look forward to the DSRV becoming operational later this year.”

Pioneering technology

Mr Sharples said that JFD’s 3rd Generation DSRV marks a significant and pioneering step-change in real world submarine rescue capability.

He said it is one of the deepest submarine rescue vehicles available and is weight optimised for maximum payload and optimum transportability.

It has high levels of in-water performance including speed and manoeuvrability and can mate with submarines that might be subject to inclination on the seabed.

The DSRV hull previously underwent factory acceptance tests in December 2017 at the JFD-owned National Hyperbaric Centre in Aberdeen. These tests included thorough pressurised testing on the system’s pressure hulls and command module – all of which were completed successfully.

Upon completion of the harbour acceptance trials, the DSRV will be fully integrated with the rest of the rescue system at a site in Glasgow Scotland, including the offshore handling system, intervention suite and 90-person decompression facilities.

Under the £193m contract, awarded in March 2016, JFD is providing two complete flyaway submarine rescue systems to the Indian Navy, including DSRVs, Launch and Recovery Systems (LARS) equipment, Transfer Under Pressure (TUP) systems and all logistics and support equipment required to operate the service.

The equipment has been designed, manufactured, integrated and tested by JFD prior to shipping in March 2018 for final commissioning and trials. The full, certified systems are due to be delivered to the customer in June 2018.

By Anne-Marie Causer