JFD, a part of James Fisher and Sons, has received a multi-million pound contract for the design and build of an advanced Deep Search and Rescue Vehicle (DSRV).
The DSRV will be delivered as a part of a submarine rescue capability being provided to the Republic of Korea Navy (RoKN).
The contract, awarded by South Korean shipbuilder Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME), will ensure the provision of an advanced submarine rescue vehicle to the South Korean Navy.
Following the recent contract award to DSME for the construction of a new auxiliary submarine rescue ship (ASR-II) for the RoKN, JFD will design and build a DSRV to the requirements of the customer that will enhance the operational capabilities of its submarine rescue service.
Once in operation, the DSRV will be launched and recovered from the submarine rescue vessel via a ‘moonpool’, through which the DSRV will be deployed to rescue the crews of distressed submarines at depths of up to 500m, and in waves as tall as four meters.
Giovanni Corbetta , managing director, JFD, said: “We are proud to have worked with the RoKN for a number of years in supporting the provision of its submarine rescue service. Protecting the lives of submariners is of utmost importance to JFD, and ensuring our customers have the most advanced and comprehensive submarine rescue capability is fundamental to this. The new DSRV will provide an advanced capability to the RoKN that will ensure the lives of those operating subsea are protected at all times.”
Due to be delivered to the customer in 2021, the DSRV will undergo a comprehensive series of tests and trials including factory, harbour, and sea acceptance trials, before entering operational service.
The RoKN currently operates a multipurpose submarine rescue ship – the 103 m long, 4,300-tonne RoKS Cheonghaejin. Once in operation, the new ASR-II vessel will replace the current Cheonghaejin, in operation since 1996.
James Fisher and Sons CEO Nick Henry , said: “JFD first delivered a deep search and rescue system to the South Korean Navy in 2009. This additional capability further demonstrates our position of market leadership in the submarine rescue market, as well as the strong relationships that we build with our customers.
“The vehicle is a variation of the landmark third-generation vehicles recently delivered to the Indian Navy.”