Mystic class
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Image:DSRV 1.jpg Mystic class Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicles (DSRVs) performs rescue operations on submerged, disabled submarines of the U.S. Navy or foreign navies.
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[edit] Features
DSRVs are designed for quick deployment in the event of a submarine accident. DSRVs are transportable by truck, aircraft, ship, or by specially configured attack submarine. At the accident site, the DSRV works with either a "mother" ship or "mother" submarine. The DSRV dives, conducts a sonar search, and attaches to the disabled submarine’s hatch. DSRVs can embark up to 24 personnel for transfer to the "mother" vessel.
The DSRV also has an arm to clear hatches on a disabled submarine and a combined gripper and cable cutter. The gripper is able to lift 1,000 pounds (450 kg).
[edit] Background
The Deep Submergence System Project was established in June 1965 in the aftermath of the loss of the USS Thresher (SSN-593) in 1963.
At the time, submarine operating depths greatly exceeded the capabilities of rescue vessels. Lockheed Missiles & Space was contracted to produce a deep diving rescue submarine, the first of which was launched in 1970.<ref name="blindmansbluff">Sontag, S.; Drew, C.; Drew, A. L. (1998). Blind Man's Bluff: The Untold Story of American Submarine Espionage. Harper. ISBN 0-06-103004-X.</ref> Whilst it has been alleged that the stated goal of the DSRV project was unrealistic, and that it was a front for research on undersea espionage, including cable tapping.<ref name="blindmansbluff">filler</ref> the DSRV's have been demonstrated to be of performing their rescue duties, and have conducted numerous practice rescue missions.
DSRV-1 was launched in San Diego, CA on 24 January 1970. Testing culminated in an operational evaluation that saw a complete, simulated submarine rescue mission. DSRV 1 was named Mystic during the Fleet Acceptance Ceremonies in 1977.
A second boat in the class, DSRV 2, was subsequently launched and named Avalon.
[edit] DSRVs in fiction
Both DSRVs were featured in Tom Clancy's book, The Hunt for Red October, as part of a scheme to seize a defecting Soviet submarine, and one featured in the film adaptation.
The DSRV Mystic was featured in the Pilot of the series SurFace. One of the main characters takes the sub down to the ocean floor to study a newly discovered lifeform.
[edit] General characteristics
| Builder: | Lockheed Missiles and Space, Co., Sunnyvale, California, USA |
| Power Plant: | Electric motors, silver/zinc batteries, one shaft, 15 shaft horsepower (11 kW), four thrusters, 7.5 horsepower (6 kW). |
| Length: | 49 ft (15 m) |
| Beam: | 8 ft (2.4 m) |
| Displacement: | 38 tons (39 metric tons) |
| Speed | 4 knots (7 km/h) |
| Maximum depth: | 5,000 ft (1500 m) |
| Sonar: | Search and navigation |
| Ships: | Mystic (DSRV 1) |
| Avalon (DSRV 2) | |
| Crew: | Two pilots, two rescue personnel and the capacity for 24 passengers |
[edit] List of subs
[edit] Resources
[edit] References
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