International Submarine Escape and Rescue Liaison Office

International Submarine Escape and Rescue Liaison Office
U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Cmdr. Jensin W. Sommer · Public domain · source
Name	International Submarine Escape and Rescue Liaison Office
Abbr	ISELLO
Formation	1972
Headquarters	London
Region served	International
Membership	Submarine-operating states
Leader title	Director

International Submarine Escape and Rescue Liaison Office is an intergovernmental coordination body focused on submarine escape, rescue, and survival. Founded in the early 1970s, it serves as a liaison among navies, shipbuilders, rescue services, and international agencies to facilitate rapid response to submarine incidents. The office works closely with maritime, naval, and search-and-rescue organizations to link resources, expertise, and training across national boundaries.

History

The office was established in the aftermath of high-profile submarine incidents that involved HMS Thetis (N25), USS Thresher (SSN-593), and K-129 (1960) concerns about deep-submergence survivability, and drew on lessons from operations such as Operation Sunshine (1955) and Project Azorian. Founders included representatives from Royal Navy, United States Navy, French Navy, Royal Netherlands Navy, and other submarine-operating services responding to Cold War era events like the Cuban Missile Crisis and incidents near the Barents Sea. Over subsequent decades the office adapted to post-Cold War realities, coordinating with organizations such as International Maritime Organization, NATO, European Union, Commonwealth of Nations, and specialist firms like James Fisher and Sons and DRASS. The evolution paralleled developments in submersible design at yards such as Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, DCNS, and Kawasaki Shipbuilding Corporation and drew on research from institutions including Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and National Physical Laboratory (United Kingdom).

Mission and Organization

The office's mission emphasizes expediting international submarine rescue by linking submarine-operating states such as United Kingdom, United States, France, Russia, China, India, Australia, Brazil, Japan, and South Korea. Its organizational framework integrates national points of contact, regional coordinators, and a central secretariat that liaises with bodies like United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and International Telecommunication Union for communications. Executive oversight involves cooperation with flag-state authorities such as Admiralty (United Kingdom), U.S. Department of the Navy, and equivalents in NATO maritime commands, and with commercial partners including JFD (James Fisher Defence) and Subsea 7. Governance structures reference standards from International Organization for Standardization and align with procurement norms used by European Defence Agency and national ministries such as Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom) and Bureau of Naval Personnel (United States). Leadership roles typically include directors with backgrounds from services such as Royal Australian Navy, Royal Canadian Navy, and German Navy.

Capabilities and Operations

The office does not itself operate rescue vessels but coordinates assets including deep-submergence rescue vehicles (DSRVs) like the DSRV-1 Mystic, saturation diving systems exemplified by Aquarius (habitat), and submersibles such as Remotely Operated Vehicle platforms developed by Oceaneering International. It maintains catalogues of deployable systems including McCann rescue chamber variants, submarine rescue chambers from Schilling Robotics, and pressurized rescue modules from MSV-300. Operations rely on ships like MV Stena Seaspread-class support platforms, heavy-lift carriers like MV Blue Marlin, and submarine tenders such as USS Holland (AS-32) analogues. The office coordinates logistics for airlift support using aircraft akin to C-17 Globemaster III, C-130 Hercules, and civil heavy freighters associated with International Air Transport Association. Communications and command-and-control draw on protocols from Global Maritime Distress and Safety System, Automatic Identification System, and links to Joint Rescue Coordination Centre frameworks. Medical evacuation and hyperbaric treatment are coordinated with facilities like Royal Navy Submarine School and civilian hyperbaric hospitals including those affiliated with Duke University Hospital and Mount Sinai Health System.

International Coordination and Membership

Membership and participation include NATO members Turkey, Greece, Spain, and Italy as well as non-NATO contributors such as Argentina, Chile, Indonesia, and South Africa. The office facilitates memoranda of understanding with entities like NATO Allied Maritime Command and regional centers such as Asian Disaster Preparedness Center and engages with legal frameworks including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and search-and-rescue zones like those managed by Japan Coast Guard. Collaborative relationships extend to manufacturers and research centers including Saab Seaeye, Thales Group, Rolls-Royce Holdings, and Fraunhofer Society. The liaison role often involves coordination with national salvage authorities such as Salvage and Wreck Disposal (United Kingdom) and commercial salvors like Smit International.

Training and Exercises

The office organizes multinational exercises that simulate incidents similar to historical events such as Kursk disaster scenarios, drawing participants from fleets including Royal Navy Submarine Service, People's Liberation Army Navy Submarine Force, and Russian Northern Fleet. Training events incorporate platforms from Submarine Escape Training Tank (SETT) facilities, recompression training at hyperbaric centers tied to Diving Medical Centre (Portsmouth), and technical workshops with industry partners like JFD and Hydroid. Large-scale exercises include annual and biennial drills coordinated with NATO Exercise Triton-type operations, regional drills involving United States Pacific Fleet, and civilian-military integrations akin to Exercise Rim of the Pacific. Curriculum and doctrine development reference manuals from International Maritime Organization and NATO Standardization Agreements.

Incidents and Responses

The office has coordinated responses to incidents including modern peacetime accidents and training mishaps, providing liaison during cases reminiscent of K-129 (1960), USS Scorpion (SSN-589), and the Kursk (K-141) search efforts. Its role is to expedite international aid, arrange asset mobilization, and support salvage or rescue efforts using partners such as Fugro, Boskalis, and military salvage units from United States Navy Supervisor of Salvage. Post-incident analyses involve forensic and technical studies by laboratories like Naval Undersea Warfare Center and academic partners such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Imperial College London to recommend safety improvements informing procurement by navies and shipyards including Babcock International and Navantia.

Category:Submarine rescue organizations