DSRV-2 ''Avalon'' was a
''Mystic''-class deep-submergence rescue vehicle
A deep-submergence rescue vehicle (DSRV) is a type of deep-submergence vehicle used for rescue of personnel from disabled submarines and submersibles. While DSRV is the term most often used by the United States Navy, other nations have different ...
rated to dive up to to rescue submarine crews trapped deep under the sea. The submarine was acquired in response to the loss of the , so that the Navy would have a way to rescue trapped submarine crews.
''Avalon'' was launched in 1971. The submarine, intended to be air transportable, is long, in diameter, and weighs 37 tons. The sub is capable of descending to below the surface and could carry 24 passengers at a time in addition to her crew. ''Avalon'' is battery-powered, and would have needed to pause midway through a rescue mission to recharge its batteries.
''Avalon'' was stationed at
North Island Naval Station in
San Diego
San Diego ( , ) is a city on the Pacific coast of Southern California, adjacent to the Mexico–United States border. With a population of over 1.4 million, it is the List of United States cities by population, eighth-most populous city in t ...
and was never required to conduct an actual rescue operation. The sub was decommissioned in 2000. The ''Avalon'' submarine was donated to the
Morro Bay Maritime Museum in
Morro Bay, California
Morro Bay (''Morro'', Spanish for "Hill") is a seaside city in San Luis Obispo County, California, United States. Located on the Central Coast of California, the city's population was 10,757 as of the 2020 census, up from 10,234 at the 2010 ...
, and is currently on public display.
Awards
*
Meritorious Unit Commendation
The Meritorious Unit Commendation (MUC; pronounced ''muck'') is a mid-level unit award of the United States Armed Forces. The U.S. Army awards units the Army MUC for exceptionally meritorious conduct in performance of outstanding achievement or ...
with star (2 awards)
*
Navy E Ribbon
A navy, naval force, military maritime fleet, war navy, or maritime force is the military branch, branch of a nation's armed forces principally designated for naval warfare, naval and amphibious warfare; namely, lake-borne, riverine, littoral z ...
(2 awards)
*
National Defense Service Medal
The National Defense Service Medal (NDSM) is a service award of the United States Armed Forces established by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1953. It was awarded to every member of the U.S. Armed Forces who served during any one of four s ...
with star (2 awards)
In fiction
* ''Avalon'' features in the 1984
Tom Clancy
Thomas Leo Clancy Jr. (April 12, 1947 – October 1, 2013) was an American novelist. He is best known for his technically detailed espionage and military science, military-science storylines set during and after the Cold War. Seventeen of ...
novel ''
The Hunt for Red October
''The Hunt for Red October'' is the debut novel by American author Tom Clancy, first published on October 1, 1984, by the Naval Institute Press. It depicts Soviet submarine captain Marko Ramius as he seemingly goes rogue with his country's cutt ...
'' and the
1990 film adaptation.
See also
*
*
References
*
1971 ships
Cold War submarines of the United States
Mystic-class deep-submergence rescue vehicles
Ships built in the San Francisco Bay Area
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