 DSRV-1 (Mystic) docked to aLos Angeles-classattack submarine. | |
| History | |
|---|---|
 United States | |
| Name |
|
| Namesake | The village ofMystic, Connecticut |
| Builder | Lockheed Missiles and Space Company,Sunnyvale,California |
| Launched | 24 January 1970 |
| Acquired | 1 June 1970 |
| Out of service | 1 October 2008 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class & type | DSRV-1- (Mystic-) classdeep submergence rescue vehicle |
| Displacement | 30.5tons surfaced, 37 tons submerged |
| Length | 49 ft (15 m) |
| Beam | 8 ft (2.4 m); Width 11 ft (3.4 m) |
| Installed power | 15shaft horsepower (11.2 kilowatt) |
| Propulsion | Electric motors,silver-zinc batteries, one shaft, four thrusters |
| Speed | 4knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph) |
| Endurance | 30 hours submerged at 3 knots (5.6 km/h) |
| Test depth | 5,000 feet (1,500 m) |
| Capacity | 24 passengers |
| Complement | Four (two pilots and two rescue personnel) |
DSRV-1Mystic is adeep-submergence rescue vehicle that is rated to dive up to 5,000 feet (1,500 m). It was built byLockheed 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 namedMystic.[2] TheMystic or theAvalon could be deployed to rescue survivors of a disabled submarine.
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 atNaval Air Station North Island inSan Diego and was never required to conduct an actual rescue operation.Mystic was replaced by theSRDRS on September 30, 2008, and began deactivation on October 1, 2008.[3] In October 2014, the submarine was donated to theNaval Undersea Museum,[4] and restored in February 2021.[5]
After the sinking of the submarineUSSThresher (SSN 593) in April 1963, theUnited 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 theDeep Submergence Systems Project in 1964 to create a rescue vehicle for submarines. This project created two rescue submersibles,Mystic (DSRV 1) andAvalon (DSRV 2). TheMystic 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 theSRDRS (Submarine Rescue Diving and Recompression System). This updated system is easier and faster to deploy than theDSRVs, controlled remotely, and crew is transferred to a decompression to avoid sudden pressure changes.[6][7]
TheDSRV had to hover in place to access the disabledsubmarine. 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 theDSRV 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 offiberglass, 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. TheMystic could operate at a maximum depth of 5,000 feet under the water.[6]
TheMystic is equipped with electric propulsion, batteries, sonar, navigation systems, and communicating, operated by two pilots. TheMystic is also equipped with an arm to clear debris on hatches, which contains a combined gripper and cable cutter.[7]
TheDSRV 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. TheDSRV 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]
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 theSubmarine Rescue Diving and Recompression System[6]
This article incorporatespublic domain material fromNo Name (DSRV-1) at theNaval Vessel Register.
