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US, Chilean navies collaborate on sub rescuesSAN DIEGO, Nov 04, 2011 (KSWB-TV - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- The United States and Chilean navies concluded submarine rescue exercises this past week off the waters of Naval Base Point Loma. The international exercise, called CHILEMAR III, was the third such joint operation between Chile and the US. "The Chilean submarine, Carerra is up here doing operations with the US Navy," said Cmdr. David Lemly with the US Navy. "What we're doing is simulating a submarine rescue." While the rescue techniques have not had to be applied in real life yet, officials from both countries say the training exercises will prove invaluable if or when the situation should arise. The submarine rescue team is part of the US Navy's Deep Submergence Unit. The DSU is the only US military command that conducts deep ocean submarine rescue. The rescue operation begins with a sailor begin fitted with a pressurized suit. The suit allows the pilot to go more than a thousand feet under water to check the crippled sub. The pilot of the suit is essentially a scout, checking the sub and it's immediate area for dangerous conditions. If it's all clear, the ship will bring the pilot back up and then send a much larger rescue vessel down called a Pressurized Recovery Module. This vessel can hold up to 18 people and is remotely controlled by a pilot topside. "If you're claustrophobic you won't like it," said Diver Chief Cory Hall. "We have enough people to run shifts all night. If this were a real, active rescue it's a nonstop operation." The plan is to have the recovery module dock with the wounded sub, create a water-tight seal and drain the water to allow the stranded sailors to come aboard 18 at a time. The Chilean sailors have been training with the US Navy for the past three months. ___ (c)2011 KSWB-TV (San Diego) Visit KSWB-TV (San Diego) at www.fox5sandiego.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |