Science Fair Project Encyclopedia
Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle
A U.S. Navy Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV) performs rescue operations on submerged, disabled submarines of the U.S. Navy or foreign navies.
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Features
DSRVs are designed for quick deployment in the event of a submarine accident. DSRVs 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. DSRVs can embark up to 24 personnel for transfer to the "mother" vessel.
The DSRV also has an arm to clear hatches on a disabled submarine and a combined gripper and cable cutter. The gripper is able to lift 1,000 pounds (450 kg).
Background
DSRVs 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 & Space to produce a deep diving rescue submarine, the first of which was launched in 1970.
In the book Blind Man's Bluff: The Untold Story of American Submarine Espionage, the authors alleged that the stated goal of the DSRV project was unrealistic, and that it was a front for research on undersea espionage, including cable tapping. The DSRV is capable of perfoming its rescue duties however, and has done numerous practice rescue missions.
General characteristics
| Builder: | Lockheed Missiles and Space, Co., Sunnyvale, California, USA |
| Power Plant: | Electric motors, silver/zinc batteries, one shaft, 15 shaft horsepower (11 kW), four thrusters, 7.5 horsepower (6 kW). |
| Length: | 49 ft (15 m) |
| Beam: | 8 ft (2.4 m) |
| Displacement: | 38 tons (38.61 metric tons) |
| Speed | 4 knots (7 km/h) |
| Maximum depth: | 5,000 ft (1524 m) |
| Sonar: | Search and navigation |
| Ships: | Mystic (DSRV 1) |
| Avalon (DSRV 2) | |
| Crew: | Two pilots, two rescue personnel and the capacity for 24 passengers |
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Reference
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See also
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