JFD, part of James Fisher and Sons plc, participates in Dynamic Monarch 24 mobilising the NATO Submarine Rescue System (NSRS) as part of a multi-nation exercise to test and refine submarine intervention and rescue capabilities in some of the most challenging environments.
Completed on September 19 off the coast of Norway, Dynamic Monarch 24 was the first in cold waters since 2014 providing an important opportunity for participating Navies to demonstrate the latest submarine rescue technology and operational procedures within a complex and challenging scenario.
Having managed the NSRS In Service Support (ISS) contract since 2015, on behalf of NSRS participant nations, UK, France and Norway, JFD is responsible for maintaining the system in a rescue-ready state so that it can be called upon to respond to a Disabled Submarine (DISSUB) as rapidly as possible.
Richard Devlin, JFD defence director, said: “We proudly support the NSRS with a full availability contract recently transitioning from the second into the third ISS contract following award in 2022 for a further potential nine years maintaining our support to the UK and partner nations.
"Throughout the duration of the ISS contracts, JFD has developed a unique relationship with the NSRS system which is further strengthened through a programme of regular exercises, critical to ensuring both personnel and equipment and fully prepared for the complexities of a real-life rescue operation.
"This has been an excellent training period for NSRS, the team have admirably demonstrated the capability at sea to a wide audience of military observers and the UK MoD.”
Participating forces from the US, Germany, Canada, Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, Türkiye and other allied navies joined the NSRS participant nations to practice interoperability and improve combined submarine rescue operations and share best practice during various scenarios where reaction time and specialist equipment are essential.
JFD mobilised the NSRS rescue system and associated assets from Edinburgh to the exercise location off the southeastern coast of Norway.
The system, considered one of the most capable in the world, successfully operated the Submarine Rescue Vehicle (SRV), rated to 610msw, in difficult environmental conditions.
During the operational phase of the exercise the SRV completed a series of mates with a Swedish GOTLAND Class and a Norwegian ULA Class submarines, conducting dry transfer of personnel from submarine to the SRV.
Concurrently the NSRS Intervention System, mobilised to the French Navy ship BSAM Rhone, from Portsmouth, UK. The Intervention System conducted a number of serials where the Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) was deployed.
Over the course of the 10-day exercise, other successful rescue scenarios were performed alongside the ‘URF’ Rescue System and HSwMS BELOS from Sweden, and TCG ALEMDAR from Türkiye.
Richard continued: “Participating in Dynamic Monarch not only gives us the opportunity to demonstrate JFD’s competence, but it is also essential for the continual enhancement of our expertise and capability ensuring we remain at the forefront as global submarine rescue operations evolve rapidly.
"There is a continued emphasis on safety, rapid response and international cooperation as submarine operating ranges and coverage areas expand.
"We remain dedicated to enhancing safety for those who work subsea, the practical experience and knowledge gained from these exercises is invaluable to continuously developing our capability.”
Supporting the mobilisation and operation of a Submarine Rescue system is a significant endeavour with a wide number of logistical challenges. JFD has over 40 years operational experience and holds long-term service contracts with some of the world’s most notable systems including Australia, India and Singapore.
Dynamic Monarch follows Exercise Southern Sun, conducted in the South of France in May, which achieved a significant first with NSRS system mating to the newest French Navy SSN and mobilisation of the full system to vessel BSAD Jason.