DSRV-1 Mystic

Last updated
DSRV-Mystic.jpg
DSRV-1 (Mystic) docked to a Los Angeles-class attack submarine.
History
Flag of the United States.svgUnited States
Name
  • Official: DSRV-1
  • Unofficial: Mystic
NamesakeThe village of Mystic, Connecticut
Builder Lockheed Missiles and Space Company, Sunnyvale, California
Launched24 January 1970
Acquired1 June 1970
Out of service1 October 2008
General characteristics
Class and type DSRV-1- (Mystic-) class deep submergence rescue vehicle
Displacement30.5 tons surfaced, 37 tons submerged
Length49 ft (15 m)
Beam8 ft (2.4 m); Width 11 ft (3.4 m)
Installed power15 shaft horsepower (11.2 kilowatt)
Propulsion Electric motors, silver-zinc batteries, one shaft, four thrusters
Speed4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph)
Endurance30 hours submerged at 3 knots (5.6 km/h)
Test depth5,000 feet (1,500 m)
Capacity24 passengers
ComplementFour (two pilots and two rescue personnel)
DSRV-1 Mystic on display at United States Naval Undersea Museum, Keyport, Washington Dsrv-mystic.jpg
DSRV-1 Mystic on display at United States Naval Undersea Museum, Keyport, Washington
Mystic on display at the Naval Undersea Museum after 2021 restoration DSRV-1-Mystic2023.png
Mystic on display at the Naval Undersea Museum after 2021 restoration

DSRV-1Mystic is a deep-submergence rescue vehicle that is rated to dive up to 5,000 feet (1,500 m). It was built by Lockheed for the US Navy at a construction cost of $41 million and launched 24 January 1970. [1] It was declared fully operational in 1977 and named Mystic. [2] The Mystic or the Avalon could be deployed to rescue survivors of a disabled submarine.

Contents

The submarine was intended to be air transportable; it was 50 feet (15 m) long and 8 feet (2.4 m) in diameter, and it weighed 37 tons. The sub was capable of descending to 5,000 feet (1,500 m) below the surface and could carry 24 passengers at a time, in addition to its crew. It was stationed at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego and was never required to conduct an actual rescue operation. Mystic was replaced by the SRDRS on September 30, 2008, and began deactivation on October 1, 2008. [3] In October 2014, the submarine was donated to the Naval Undersea Museum, [4] and restored in February 2021. [5]

History

After the sinking of the submarine USS Thresher (SSN 593) in April 1963, the United States Navy discovered multiple limitations in deep sea rescue capabilities using the McCann’s rescue bells, developed by Allan McCann in 1929. This led to the United States Navy creating the Deep Submergence Systems Project in 1964 to create a rescue vehicle for submarines. This project created two rescue submersibles, Mystic (DSRV 1) and Avalon (DSRV 2). The Mystic was launched in January 1970, and entered full operational status in 1977. It was eventually replaced in 2006 and replaced by the PRM (Pressurized Rescue Module) FALCON, which is part of the SRDRS (Submarine Rescue Diving and Recompression System). This updated system is easier and faster to deploy than the DSRVs, controlled remotely, and crew is transferred to a decompression to avoid sudden pressure changes. [6] [7]

Design

The DSRV had to hover in place to access the disabled submarine. This was a difficult task to perform because of the ocean currents and the movement of the water. A special system was developed to control the ballast and the thrusters to make precise movements. This maneuverability meant that the DSRV could hold an underwater position of which is less than an inch of the target. [6] It is capable of reaching a sunken ship on its own, landing on its rescue seat, creating a water tight connection between the sunken submarine and the rescue vehicle.

The hull of the submersible is made of fiberglass, with three interconnected compartments for the stranded crew. These compartments are made of high strength steel to protect the crew and rescuers. It can hold up to 24 survivors. The Mystic could operate at a maximum depth of 5,000 feet under the water. [6]

The Mystic is equipped with electric propulsion, batteries, sonar, navigation systems, and communicating, operated by two pilots. The Mystic is also equipped with an arm to clear debris on hatches, which contains a combined gripper and cable cutter. [7]

Mystic loaded aboard a Antonov An-124 cargo aircraft of Volga-Dnepr Airlines DSRV-1 loaded into AN-124.jpg
Mystic loaded aboard a Antonov An-124 cargo aircraft of Volga-Dnepr Airlines

Operation and transport

The DSRV can be transported by sea, air and land and could be deployed anywhere in the world within 72 hours. It could be attached to a mother submarine or rescue ship and be carried to the distressed submarine. The DSRV attached to the distressed submarine’s escape hatch creating a watertight seal, allowing survivors to move between the distressed submarine and the rescue vessel. [6]

Numerous training and practice exercises were conducted, but it was never used for a real rescue operation. [6]

Characteristics of the vessel

Length: 49.7 feet

Width: 8.2 feet

Height: 9.5 feet

Speed: 4.1 knots (4.7 mi/hr)

Endurance: (12 hours at 3 knots (3.5 mi/hr)

Maximum Operating Depth: 5,000 feet

Capacity: 3-4 DSRV crew, 24 survivors per trip

Status: Decommissioned; Replaced by the Submarine Rescue Diving and Recompression System [6]

See also

Awards

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References

  1. ↑ Ryan, Mary (2011). "Rescuing Submariners: From DSRVs to the SRDRS" (PDF). Undersea Quarterly. 15 (2). Naval Undersea Museum Foundation: 1–6. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-03-25.
  2. ↑ Polmar, Norman (January 15, 2005). Naval Institute Guide to the Ships and Aircraft of the Us Fleet (18 ed.). Naval Institute Press. pp.  95–96. ISBN   9781591146858.
  3. ↑ "Deep Quest" (PDF). Artifact Spotlight. Naval Undersea Museum. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 March 2014. Retrieved 25 March 2014.
  4. ↑ "Naval Undersea Museum Keyport Opens DSRV Mystic To VIPs". United States Navy. 2015-07-23.
  5. ↑ Farley, Josh (February 22, 2021). "Deep-diving Mystic restored at Navy's undersea museum in Keyport". Kitsap Sun. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Curator, USNUM (2016-09-23). "DSRV Mystic". U. S. Naval Undersea Museum. Retrieved 2024-06-02.
  7. 1 2 Kiciński, Radosław; Szturomski, Bogdan; Marchel, Łukasz (2021-10-01). "A more reasonable model for submarines rescues seat strength analysis". Ocean Engineering. 237: 109580. doi: 10.1016/j.oceaneng.2021.109580 . ISSN   0029-8018.
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