Annual appointment of the Armed Force, this periodic activity, performed with increased difficulty, allows for the testing and evaluating so as to confirm the correct execution of all the procedures associated with rescuing and evacuating the crew from a disabled/damaged submarine.

Nov 14, 2018 – written by Carlo Faggiana (translated by Giovanna Nardella)

Operations and Training

The Submarine Escape and Rescue Exercise (SMEREX 2018) has been conducted in the Gulf of Taranto (in Ginosa Marina), off the Coast of Italy, from October 31^st to November 8^th, 2018.

Annual appointment of the Armed Force, the periodic activity, performed with increased difficulty, has allowed for the testing and evaluation of the correct execution of all the procedures associated with rescuing a disabled submarine laying on the seabed following a systems' failure, starting from the activation of the alarm through the national search and rescue satellite system (COSPAS-SARSAT) of the Maritime Rescue Coordination Center of the Guard Coast in Bari.

Under the supervision of the Officer-in Charge (of the Exercise), Rear Admiral Andrea Petroni, Commander of the Submarine, the Italian Submarine ITS Romei and the Italian Navy ITS Anteo with the Italian Navy Operational Divers Group (COMSUBIN) gradually becoming involved in the final step of the activity in order to achieve the maximum realism.  

After locating the submarine, approximately 50 meters below the surface, the Command and Control of the exercise was passed to ITS ANTEO.  As the command and control platform, ITS Anteo served as the central hub for command and control of the exercise. The ship also served as a logistical platform throughout the exercise and launched the medical and specialized team called the Submarine Parachute Assistance Group (SPAG), belonging to the Italian Navy Divers Command, La Spezia.

Also this year the event raised strong international interest with the participation of the Greek Submarine "Matrozos" Class U214 and personnel from the International Submarine Escape and Rescue Liaison Office (ISMERLO) which endeavors to establish and maintain a global submarine rescue coordination capability that can be activated anytime in the event of a Distressed Submarine incident, anywhere in the world.

SMEREX 2018 also hosted 15 representatives of other NATO and NON-NATO submarine operating nations, including Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, United Arab Emirates, France, Israel, Holland, Pakistan, Russian Federation, Turkey and Spain, participating as observers.

SMEREX concluded with the "triage" activity at sea performed by the Submarine Parachute Assistant Group (SPAG) and the Italian Navy Operational Divers Group (COMSUBIN) supported by Submarine Escape and Rescue Assistant Group (SMERAG) which, launching into the sea from a helicopter EH101, departed from the base of Maristaer Grottaglie, the team rescued, assisted and transferred on the Anteo ship, three submariners who simulated having each escaped from the Romei with the supplied special suit SEIE MK11.