Navy Certifies New Deep Water Rescue Submarine After San Diego Tests

The submarine can save 16 people at a time in water up to 2,000 feet deep.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 8:44pm

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A highly structured abstract painting in muted tones of navy, green, and grey, featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circular forms, and precise mechanical spirals, conceptually representing the complex engineering and underwater forces involved in deep sea submarine rescue operations.A new deep water rescue submarine will bolster the Navy's specialized submarine rescue capabilities for operations in challenging global undersea environments.San Diego Today

The Navy has certified a new 49-foot tethered, fly-away rescue submarine capable of saving 16 people at a time in water up to 2,000 feet deep. The Submarine Rescue Diving and Recompression System recently qualified for deployment during manned test drives off Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego.

Why it matters

The new submarine will be operated by the Navy's Underwater Rescue Command, which is based in Coronado and has been on 24-hour standby for submarine rescue missions since the 1960s, though it has never been called upon to rescue sailors trapped in a submarine in the open ocean.

The details

The submarine can be rapidly deployed around the world within 96 hours to carry out open-hatch rescues. It can be transported by air and truck and placed on a variety of ships. The Navy says the new submarine will allow the Underwater Rescue Command to better support the Navy's submarine force as it operates in challenging undersea environments globally.

  • The submarine recently qualified for deployment during manned test drives off Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego.

The players

Navy

The U.S. Navy, which has certified the new deep water rescue submarine.

Underwater Rescue Command

The Navy unit that will operate the new submarine and has been on 24-hour standby for submarine rescue missions since the 1960s.

Submarine Rescue Diving and Recompression System

The 49-foot tethered, fly-away rescue submarine that can save 16 people at a time in water up to 2,000 feet deep.

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The takeaway

The certification of this new deep water rescue submarine represents an important capability enhancement for the Navy's Underwater Rescue Command, allowing them to better support the Navy's submarine force operating in challenging global environments.