NATO Submarine Rescue System Undergoes Mass Evacuation Exercise in Glasgow

Military personnel from the UK, France, and Norway test submarine rescue capabilities with additional observers from the US and Sweden.

From March 4 to 6, 2023, the city of Glasgow hosted a significant military exercise involving over 100 personnel from the United Kingdom, France, and Norway as they tested a new NATO submarine rescue system.

The exercise, named MASSEVEX, took place at the NATO Submarine Rescue System's base located at the Westway industrial site, in proximity to Glasgow Airport.

This joint operation also featured the presence of observers from the United States and Sweden.

The participants included sailors, medics, and divers, who practiced a variety of procedures aimed at facilitating the safe evacuation of submariners from a disabled submarine resting on the seabed.

A central component of the NATO system, the Submarine Rescue Vehicle (SRV) known as "Nemo," was integral to the training, showcasing its capabilities in potential rescue operations.

Commander Chris Baldwin of the Royal Navy, who serves as the rescue element commander and operations officer for the NATO Submarine Rescue System (NSRS), emphasized the significance of uniting the tri-national team for thorough capability training.

He stated that such exercises are crucial in ensuring that submariners and their families maintain confidence in the NSRS's readiness to provide assistance in emergencies.

During the MASSEVEX exercise, the NSRS’s structure was highlighted, featuring three key components.

The first is an Intervention Remotely Operated Vehicle (IROV), designed for remote operations to supply food, water, and medical necessities directly to affected submariners.

The second component, the Submarine Rescue Vehicle "Nemo," boasts a diving capability of up to 610 meters and is engineered to dock with a submarine's escape hatch, facilitating the safe return of up to 15 occupants to the surface.

Additionally, the system incorporates a portable decompression chamber complex that allows for the expert supervision of safe decompression of crew members while the SRV undertakes further recovery actions.

Commander Nick Samuels, designated Coordinator Rescue Forces during the exercise, praised the NSRS as a premier submarine rescue capability globally, ready for immediate deployment in emergencies.

He noted that the system could be activated by the Royal Navy’s Maritime Operations Centre, indicating its potential role in coordinated global rescue efforts.

MASSEVEX serves as a critical validation of the NSRS, ensuring that personnel from France, Norway, and the UK can operate fluently together in executing submarine rescue missions.