Submarine Search And Rescue Exercise
The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) will test their response to a potential Submarine accident by exercising search and
rescue protocols in the Western Australian Exercise Area (WAXA) in Western Australia today.
In order to test the reactions of RAN vessels and support units, a simulated scenario will be initiated whereby a
submarine, HMA Submarine FARNCOMB, will fail to rendezvous for a scheduled exercise. FARNCOMB will role play a disabled
submarine throughout the exercise.
All RAN vessels and support units will be required to respond to initial advice of the scenario, giving details of their
ability to participate in a full scale Search and Rescue activity to locate the submarine and determine if they are
experiencing difficulties.
Any vessel that is capable of responding to the situation and is within a reasonable distance will be tasked to
participate in the Search and Rescue. Warships and submarines in harbour and specialist rescue and recovery vessels in
port are placed on standby.
“By testing the response of Navy vessels to an exercise scenario such as this, we give our people the opportunity to
practice procedures that would be employed if there were to be a real scenario involving a submarine in distress,” said
the Commander Australian Navy Submarine Group, Commodore Stephen Davies.
Should the exercise scenario escalate, additional warships, submarines, rescue and recovery vessels and specialist
rescue teams could be despatched to the search area. Royal Australian Air Force aircraft may also participate in the
Search and Rescue scenario.
To assist in the search for a missing submarine, the Operational Commander will be able to call upon the resources
normally available to detect enemy submarines in wartime. Anti-submarine frigates, other submarines and Air Force search
aircraft will use sophisticated sonar equipment to locate the submarine.
ENDS