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DOWN
BELOW: Navy assets helped to rescue two divers from
the stricken submarine rescue vehicle Remora.
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Volume 49, No. 23, December 14, 2006
By
Michael Brooke
The
value of the RAN training regime was demonstrated in Exercise
Black Carillon which was conducted by the Submarine Emergency
Rescue Centre (SERC) off the coast of Western Australia recently.
The importance of safety and rescue training was highlighted when
the RAN was called upon to help recover two civilian divers from
the stricken Australian submarine rescue vehicle, Remora, on December
5.
CANSG CDRE Rick Shalders said Exercise Black Carillon was conducted
to test whether Remora still complied with Navy requirements following
its highly successful training activity in 2005 when it simulated
the rescue of the entire crew of a Collins Class submarine.
He said two civilian divers were rescued from Remora after its
winch cable snapped in rough seas north of Rottnest Island, at
about midnight on December 4.
The joint rescue operation was conducted by HMAS Anzac (CAPT Ian
Middleton) and the divers’ company, Cal Dive International.
Personnel from AUSCDT 4 were kitted up and ready to provide assistance,
if required.
Anzac’s two RHIBs (coxswains LSBM Congdon and LSBM Fryer)
were both actively involved in the rescue, performing precise,
high speed manoeuvres in turbulent seas and in close proximity
to Remora’s tender the Seahorse Standard.
Additionally, Anzac’s WEEO (CMDR Chandler), Buffer (CPOB
Farrar) and Diver (LSCD Cronin) were also involved, providing
advice and assistance aboard Seahorse Standard.
“There was never any doubt the men would be rescued from
the Remora, which itself is designed to rescue sailors from stricken
submarines,” CDRE Shalders said.
“Our only problem was getting the best conditions.”
The Remora currently remains in 130 metres of water off the coast
of Western Australia but a comprehensive recovery plan was under
consideration as Navy News went to press.
