DSRV-1 ''Mystic'' is a deep-submergence rescue vehicle that is rated to dive up to 5,000 feet (1,500 m). It was built by Lockheed for the US Navy at a construction cost of $41 million and launched 24 January 1970. It was declared fully operational in 1977 and named ''Mystic''. The ''Mystic'' or the ''Avalon'' could be deployed to rescue survivors of a disabled submarine. The submarine was intended to be air transportable; it was long and in diameter, and it weighed 37 tons. The sub was capable of descending to below the surface and could carry 24 passengers at a time, in addition to its crew. It was stationed at Naval Air Station North Island in

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and was never required to conduct an actual rescue operation. ''Mystic'' was replaced by the SRDRS on September 30, 2008, and began deactivation on October 1, 2008. In October 2014, the submarine was donated to the Naval Undersea Museum, and restored in February 2021.

History

After the sinking of the submarine USS ''Thresher'' (SSN 593) in April 1963, the

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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 the Deep Submergence Systems Project in 1964 to create a rescue vehicle for submarines. This project created two rescue submersibles, ''Mystic'' (DSRV 1) and ''Avalon'' (DSRV 2). The ''Mystic'' 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 the SRDRS (Submarine Rescue Diving and Recompression System). This updated system is easier and faster to deploy than the DSRVs, controlled remotely, and crew is transferred to a decompression to avoid sudden pressure changes.

Design

The DSRV had to hover in place to access the disabled

submarine A submarine (often shortened to sub) is a watercraft capable of independent operation underwater. (It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability.) The term "submarine" is also sometimes used historically or infor ...

. 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 the DSRV could hold an underwater position of which is less than an inch of the target. 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 of

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, 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. The ''Mystic'' could operate at a maximum depth of 5,000 feet under the water. The ''Mystic'' is equipped with electric propulsion, batteries, sonar, navigation systems, and communicating, operated by two pilots. The ''Mystic'' is also equipped with an arm to clear debris on hatches, which contains a combined gripper and cable cutter.

Operation and transport

The DSRV 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. The DSRV attached to the distressed submarine’s escape hatch creating a watertight seal, allowing survivors to move between the distressed submarine and the rescue vessel. Numerous training and practice exercises were conducted, but it was never used for a real rescue operation.

Characteristics of the vessel

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 the Submarine Rescue Diving and Recompression System

Awards

* Meritorious Unit Citation with 3 stars (4 awards) * Navy E Ribbon (3 awards) * National Defense Service Medal with star (2 awards)

References

External links

NavSource Online: Submarine Photo Archive Mystic (DSRV-1)

USN Factfile DSRV 1 & 2
* Liewer, Steve, "Goodbye To Mystic Minisub, Hello To Falcon", '' San Diego Union-Tribune'', March 6, 2009. Mystic-class deep-submergence rescue vehicles Cold War submarines of the United States Ships built in the San Francisco Bay Area 1970 ships Lockheed Corporation {{Authority control