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NavSource Online: Submarine Photo Archive

Avalon (DSRV-2)

DSRV (Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle): Laid down by Lockheed Missiles and Space, Co., Sunnyvale, Calif. ; Launched, July 1972; Commissioned DSRV-2.
The Submarine Rescue Diving and Recompression System's (SRDRS) Rescue Capable System (RCS) replaced the Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle Mystic (DSRV-1) as the U.S. Navy's deep-submergence submarine rescue asset on Sept. 30. Mystic and the DSRV program began deactivation on 1 Oct. 2008.

Specifications: Displacement, 82,000 lbs.
Length: 49 feet (15 meters)
Beam: 8 feet (2.4 meters)
Speed: 4 kts; Speed: 4.1 Knots/8 Hours (Max) 2.5 Knots/14 Hours (Transit) 1.5 Knots/18 Hours (Search) Max Controlled Ascent Rate: 100/100 ft/min Maximum Depth, 5,000 feet (1524 meters)
Complement: Two pilots, two rescue personnel and the capacity for 24 passengers.
Propulsion: Two 700 Amp Hour Silver Zinc Batteries 90-140 vdc. 28 vdc Emergency Battery.
Sonars: Deep Submergence Obstical Avoidance Sonar (DSOAS): 27 kHz. 8,000 yd Range. Downward Looking Sonar (DLS): 500 kHz Sonar for Hatch Mating 600 ft Range.
Altitude/Depth Sonar (A/D): 24 kHz Sonar 0-5,000 ft. UQC, 8 kHz, Voice and CW, (ATM 504). Directional Listening Hydrophone: Tuned to 3.5 kHz. Side Looking Sonar (Installed for Alternate Mission), 1ft Resolution 183kHz, Max Range 1200ft Either Side (400ft Total).
Camera: 35mm Still Camera. 5 B/W Video Cameras; 2 Topside / 2 Bottom, 1 Skirt. 1 Color Video Camera Mounted on the Bow.
Manipulators: One arm designated to clear hatches on disabled submarines. Gripper and Cable Cutter combined are able to lift 1000 lbs.
Data Logging: Video/Audio/OAS Recording on Beta Tapes Nav Data on Data Cartridges.
Hull: The hull consists of two hy140 steel spheres surrounded by a fiberglass outer hull. One of the hulls received a potassium superoxide (KO) breathing system in 1982, providing 480 man hours of submerged endurance.
Transportation: Twelve were originally planned, designed to travel in C-141 Starlifter cargo plane. An SSN serves as a base for the DSRV while it waits for an ASR. SSN's are equiped to fasten them to their decks and carry them at 15 knots.

Size	Image Description	Source
151k	The Avalon (DSRV-2) outside its base of operation at Deep Submergence Unit on the North Island Naval Base being wheeled into posistion for transportation.	U.S. Navy photo courtesy of ussubvetsofworldwarii.org.
160k	The Avalon (DSRV-2) being lowered onto the after deck of the British Polaris missile submarine *HMS Repulse* in preparation for a simulated rescue mission. The *Avalon* was flown across the Atlantic to the Firth of Clyde, Scotland, in a demonstration of the DSRV's mobility	US Navy photo courtesy of The American Submarine, by Norman Polmar & submitted by Robert Hurst. Photo added 04/23/08.
705k	A starboard beam view of the deep submergence rescue vehicle Avalon (DSRV-2) on a trailer on 1 Sep 1981. The *Avalon* will be loaded aboard an Air Force C-5A Galaxy aircraft from the 60th Military Airlift Wing (MAW-60) where it is is en route to Hawaii as part of a DSRV fly-away exercise to train personnel in the handling and operation of the vehicle.	Defense Visual Information Center photo # DN-ST-82-04880 by PH1 Terry C. Mitchell, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil.
584k	The trailer carrying the deep submergence rescue vehicle Avalon (DSRV-2) goes up the ramp of an Air Force C-5A Galaxy aircraft from the 60th Military Airlift Wing (MAW-60).	Defense Visual Information Center photo # DN-ST-82-04875 by PH1 Terry C. Mitchell, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil.
716k	A crane lowers the deep submergence rescue vehicle Avalon (DSRV-2) onto pylons attached to the hull of the nuclear-powered attack submarine Cavalla (SSN-684) at Pearl Harbor on 2 Sep 1981. The *Avalon* and *Cavalla* are taking part in a fly-away exercise to train personnel in the handling and operation of the (DSRV-2).	Defense Visual Information Center photo # DN-SN-82-04945 by PH1 Terry Mitchell, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil.
761k	A port quarter view of the nuclear-powered attack submarine Cavalla (SSN-684) with the deep submergence rescue vehicle Avalon (DSRV-2) attached at Pearl Harbor on 2 Sep 1981.	Defense Visual Information Center photo # DN-SN-82-04955 by PH1 Terry Mitchell, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil.
653k	A close-up view of the Avalon (DSRV-2) Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle's viewing camera.	Defense Visual Information Center photo # DN-SC-95-01766 by PH2 Rick Gilmore, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil.
592k	A close-in view of the mating skirt for the Avalon (DSRV-2) Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle located at the Deep Submergence Unit on the North Island Naval Base.	Defense Visual Information Center photo # DN-SC-95-01767 by PH2 Rick Gilmore, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil.
753k	A close in view of the Avalon (DSRV-2) Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle's control sphere console.	Defense Visual Information Center photo # DN-SC-95-01768 by PH2 Rick Gilmore, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil.
77k	Avalon (DSRV-2), being made ready for as 'piggyback' ride.	US Navy photo, courtesy of CHINFO Chief of Naval Information.
110k	Commemorative post card marking the Avalon's (DSRV-2) 462th dive, on the Cavalla (SSN-684), 5 Dec. 1984.	Courtesy of Jack Treutle.
749k	Crewmen inspect the deep submergence rescue vehicle Avalon (DSRV-2) secured to the deck of the nuclear-powered attack submarine Billfish (SSN-676) on 1 Sep 1992. Both are scheduled to participate in the NATO deep sea rescue exercise Sorbet Royal '92.	Defense Visual Information Center photo # DN-SC-93-00499 by PH3 Douglas L. Badders, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil.
41k	US Navy Research Submarine Avalon (DSRV-2) is attached to the aft section of its host submarine the Billfish (SSN-676) September 1992.	USN photo & text courtesy of USNI.
285k	A view inside the Deep Submergence Unit training pool building. In the right rear background is the Avalon (DSRV-2) Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle resting on its transport trailer at NAS North Island, San Diego CA. on 10 Jan 1995.	Defense Visual Information Center photo # DN-SC-95-01762 by PH2 Rick Gilmore, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil.
145k	Commemorative post card marking the Avalon's (DSRV-2) 960th dive, dated 20 July 1999, with the MOSUB - DISSUB Rescue Operation with French Naval Submarine SNLE *Le Tonnant Bleu*.	Courtesy of Jack Treutle.
14k	Avalon (DSRV-2), being loaded onto the Greeneville (SSN-772).	US Navy photo courtesy of Thoralf Doehring.
49k	Avalon (DSRV-2), riding 'piggyback' on the Greeneville (SSN-772) hull.	US Navy photo courtesy of Thoralf Doehring.
51k	Avalon (DSRV-2), riding on the Cavalla (SSN-684).	US Navy photo, courtesy of CHINFO Chief of Naval Information.
48k	Bow on view of the Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle Avalon (DSRV-2), date and location unknown.	US Navy photo, courtesy of CHINFO Chief of Naval Information.

There is no DANFS History currently available for Avalon (DSRV-2) at the Haze Gray & Underway Web Site, the main archive for the DANFS Online Project.

Crew Contact And Reunion Information
U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation
Fleet Reserve Association

Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
Introduction to the Bathyscaph
Submarine Rescue: Ready For The Unthinkable
Submarine Rescue Exercise Teams DSRV Mystic with Foreign Navies
ASDS, The Future of Submarine-Based Special Operations
Phoenix International & Submarine Rescue Diving and Recompression System (SRDRS).

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