Page 34 - ADT AUGUST 2021 Online Magazine

to limits of the battery. In addition the use of
an “umbilical” guarantee power’s to use more
powerful thrusters to effectively contrast
underwater current. Furthermore, the possi-
bility to connect many different payloads to the [ COLUMN ]
docking plate of the WROV makes the SRV a
real dual-use system, allowing alternative pay-
loads not only for Defence applications but
also industrial and offshore ones, with major
benefits for the Final User’s Country

Submarine Ventilation System
(SVS)
One of the first actions to do after locating
a DISSUB (identification of the DATUM) is to
provide fresh air and heat to the survivors. A
state of art SVS system is designed to provide
sufficient ventilation to a DISSUB even in the
most challenging and distressed emergency
situations. Compared to onboard traditional
systems, a modern SVS is based on the uti-
lization of an underwater ventilation capsule,
containing a suction compressor which is there-
fore positioned immediately adjacent to the
DISSUB (around 15 meters). A ROV extracts the
suction and supply hoses from the dedicated
pods installed in the capsule, and these cables
are connected to the air ventilation and signal
ports on the external surface of the DISSUB.

Thanks to the minimal size and length of the
suction line, the compressor can satisfy the
requirement of air recirculation without any
pressure build-up inside the DISSUB, thereby
operating at atmospheric pressure. By maintain-
ing the atmospheric pressure in the Submarine,
with unlimited possibility for personal growth and reducing asso- the evacuation of the DISSUB is achieved with
ciated costs at the same time. In addition, there are many subsea a simpler, safer and faster procedure at every
activities that could be performed by a WROV keeping the oper- depth, avoiding complex and long decompres-
ators trained in real scenarios, sharing costs between different sion procedures or transfer under pressure to
Government Branches for various activities not only SubMarine a hyperbaric chamber after the rescue from
Escape & Rescue (SMER) if any.
the submarine.
Regarding the endurance, the use of the umbilical cable gives In the event of distressed submarine, it is
virtually unlimited mission duration; the mission will never end due
of utmost importance to put in place all the
actions to guarantee the highest level of suc-
cess in the search and rescue operation. The
submarine’s crew, the support ship’s crew and
the DISSUB Support Team must be trained and
have access to the most modern, efficient and
state of art equipment available on the market.
It is an investment that cannot be waived, and
must be a priority for all the Navies with a
Submarines Fleet in service.

Caio Mussolini
ITN former Submarine Officer

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