SUBMARINE ESCAPE AND RESCUE

Exercise BOLD MONARCH 2008 (BMH 08), a live submarine escape and rescue exercise, will be held in the Northern Skagerrak area of Norway in the vicinity of Kristiansand from 26 May – 06 June.

During the two week exercise, three submarines, one each from the Netherlands, Norway and Poland, will be bottomed to simulate sinking. Support personnel and equipment from Canada, France Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, The
Russian Federation, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom and United States will work together to solve complex rescue and medical problems in a variety of demanding scenarios.

This marks the first time that Russia will participate in such an exercise and is a significant step forward in the development of a truly international rescue capability.

This phased exercise will culminate with a large scale coordinated rescue and evacuation of survivors from a disabled submarine.

“This exercise is demonstrating the future of submarine rescue in its international interoperability and new systems. All submarine-operating nations share a concern for the safety of personnel, and they are prepared to do what it takes to demonstrate that commitment. I am very pleased to be able to show the dramatic progress the community has made over the last few years and reassure our submarine Sailors and our publics that we are serious about this safety mission” said Captain Dave Dittmer USN, Chief of Staff to COMSUBNORTH.