Submarine Surface Abandonment Trials

Abstract

This report presents the results of the Surface Abandonment Trials held on 17 June 2008 in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The trials were based upon a single, credible, pre-determined, surface abandonment scenario and followed the procedures laid down in the U.S. Navy Ship Systems Manual (SSM) utilizing the safety equipment already in service onboard submarines (Mk 10 SEIE suit and Mk 18 life raft) and the two candidates for the successor SEIE suit (Mk 11 SEIE suit and bfa Amphiprion SPES). The four trials simulated the abandonment of a submarine on the surface and were conducted from a submarine in harbor. Eighteen volunteer subjects (16 ship's personnel and 2 SUBSCHOL instructors) participated in the trials, which included two rush abandonments and two normal abandonments. This report provides an analysis of the trials and makes recommendations for the modification of the existing class SSM's surface abandonment equipment and for future surface abandonment research.