JFD completes subsea mating trials on Indian DSRV

JFD has successfully completed subsea mating exercises for the second of two submarine rescue flyaway systems delivered to the Indian Navy, the company announced on 8 May.

Through the course of the trials, JFD carried out multiple dives including underwater mating operations with a bottomed submarine and conducted a safe transfer of personnel from the submarine to the Deep Search and Rescue Vehicle (DSRV).

Throughout the sea trials and acceptance programme, JFD and the Indian Navy have conducted multiple dives of both the DSRV and the Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), in addition to side scan sonar operations, and pressurisation exercises of the deck decompression chambers.

Deep dives were conducted to a depth of 805m for the ROV and 650m for the DSRV, as well as an angled targeted mating exercise carried out at 45 degrees.

Following the completion of the sea acceptance trials, JFD will work with the Indian Navy to train the crew on the safe operation and maintenance of the system.

Giovanni Corbetta, managing director, JFD, said: ‘The sea acceptance trials for the second system have been conducted seamlessly between teams operating in both the UK and in-country, and we are pleased to have delivered all elements despite the geographical challenges faced by the teams.’

The system will be operated by the Indian Navy’s east coast-based rescue team.