Rescue role revealed
Navy helps Russian sub

SUB RESCUE: Navy personnel played a key role in the rescue of a Russian mini-sub crew in 2005.

By Michael Brooke
Volume 49, No. 7, May 4, 2006

Navy’s role in the international effort to rescue a Russian Navy mini-submarine trapped 190m below the surface off Russia’s east coast in August 2005 has now come to light.

The seven-man AS-28 Priz Russian Navy mini-submarine was ultimately freed from the fishing nets that held it by a Royal Navy remotely-operated vehicle (ROV) after three days trapped below the surface with dwindling oxygen supplies.

Navy’s role in coordinating rescue assistance is remarkable considering the coordinator, LCDR Chris Forward, had only two days earlier posted in to the position of Submarine Escape and Rescue Manager (SERCM) at HMAS Stirling.

LCDR Forward told Navy News that Australia’s ability to respond to the incident was posted on the International Submarine and Escape and Rescue Liaison Office (ISMERLO) website. This website was established in the wake of the Kursk tragedy to facilitate the rapid call out of international rescue systems in the event of a submarine accident.

“After hearing of the AS-28 Priz incident we immediately contacted Fraser Diving Australia and requested they use their global contacts to locate any commercial services that could assist the rescue operation.

“Within 20 minutes we learned that a commercial vessel owned by a subsidiary of the Shell Corporation, the DSND Surveyor, was operating approximately 500 nautical miles to the west of the AS-28 Priz.

“Surveyor had two commercial ROVs onboard that were capable of cutting wire up to three inches thick – more than enough to free the AS-28 Priz from the fishing net that had fouled the propeller.”

LCDR Forward immediately rang the vessel’s manager using an International Maritime Satellite phone and was told Surveyor could be on site within 48 hours.

LCDR Forward contacted the United States Navy and maintained close liaison between Surveyor and the USN for the duration of the operation.
“Happily, the Royal Navy, with the assistance of the USN, was able to mobilise its ROV to the rescue area, and the mini-submarine was cut free in the afternoon of August 8, after three days under water,” he said.

Navy’s actions were recently recognised at the Asia Pacific Submarine Conference, where Australia was officially thanked by the Russian Navy for its initiative in identifying the Surveyor as a source of assistance to the AS-28 Priz mini-sub.

Navy was also thanked for its role in coordinating the Surveyor’s mobilisation.

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