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International
Submarine Escape
and Rescue
Liaison Office

The International Submarine Escape and Rescue Liaison Office (ISMERLO) is an organisation that aims to facilitate an international response for a distressed submarine (DISSUB) and to improve the ability to respond to a call for assistance through its coordination role. Although established by NATO, ISMERLO supports all nations and pursues the involvement of global submarine-operating nations. ISMERLO is a military organisation operating in an international environment focused on the humanitarian objective of saving lives at sea.

News

PACREACH 25

RSN Hosts Multinational Search and Rescue Exercise To Strengthen Cooperation and Safety of Submariners

The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) hosted Exercise Pacific Reach, a multinational Submarine Escape and Rescue (SMER) exercise, from 15 to 29 September 2025. Exercise Pacific Reach 2025 aims were to develop regional SMER capabilities, strengthen interoperability in submarine rescue operations, and enhance the safety of submariners at sea. This is the third time that the RSN has hosted the exercise, having previously done so in 2000 and 2010. This year’s exercise is the ninth in the series, and the largest edition to date.

This year’s exercise saw the participation of 17 countries with approximately 600 participants, comprising Australia, Canada, China, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, Singapore, the Republic of Korea, Spain, Thailand, Türkiye, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, as well as the International Submarine Escape and Rescue Liaison Office (ISMERLO). The RSN participated in the exercise with an Invincible-class submarine, RSS Invincible, and a submarine support rescue vessel, MV Swift Rescue, embarked with a submarine rescue vehicle, Deep Search and Rescue Six (DSAR 6). Other participating assets include submarines from Japan, JS Kuroshio, and the Republic of Korea, ROKS Shin Dol-Seok. Submarine rescue motherships (MOSHIPs) included INS Nistar from India, JS Chiyoda from Japan, and MV Mega Bakti from Malaysia.

Exercise Pacific Reach 2025 consisted of a shore phase and a sea phase. The shore phase comprised a medical symposium, national submarine rescue system conference, as well as a mass evacuation exercise (MASSEVEX) that simulated the evacuation and medical treatment of personnel from a distressed submarine. Serials during the sea phase tested the procedures and interoperability of the participating submarine rescue MOSHIPs with submarines, as well as strengthen understanding and confidence on a common set of rescue procedures.

Speaking at the opening of the exercise, the RSN’s Fleet Commander and Exercise Director for Exercise Pacific Reach 2025, Rear Admiral (RADM) Kwan Hon Chuong, said, “A distressed submarine (DISSUB) situation is always a race against time. The submarines can be far, with exact location unknown. Timely intervention and rescue, with partners within and around the region is of utmost importance. Successful submarine rescue is dependant not only on having capable rescue platforms and systems, but also consistent cooperation, aligned processes and effective interoperability with like-minded partners.”

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CRF25 COurse Phot

Coordinator Rescue Forces Course 2025

The 6th NATO Coordinator Rescue Forces in Taranto will conclude on the 18th July 2025, at the Submarine Flotilla Command.

With students from Argentina, Canada, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, UK and USA, and specialisations in diving, submarines and Search and Rescue, the course offered a rich platform for discussion and development.
We were honoured by the start of the course being officially given by the Commander of Submarines of NATO (COMSUBNATO), Rear Admiral Brett Grabbe, and by the Commander of Submarines of the Navy (MARICOSOM), Rear Admiral Francesco Milazzo. 
The course continues to grow with feedback from the students being an important aspect of the development process.

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Summer SMERWG 25 - Hawaii

Summer SMERWG 25 - Hawaii

The 2025 summer meeting of the Submarine Escape and Rescue Working Group (SMERWG) was hosted by the US and held in Hawaii 9-13 Jun 25. The 111 representatives from 22 different nations which included contributions from the Asia/Pacific area took part in a very successful meeting further highlighting the importance of international collaboration and ultimately enabling us all to enhance the knowledge across the global SMER network as well as creating and extending friendships. Many thanks to our hosts for an outstanding event.

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Ex DYMI25

Ex DYNAMIC MINOTAUR 2025

Exercise DYNAMIC MINOTAUR 2025 CPX has been completed in HELSUBCOM in Greece. The exercise proved to be a very useful tool to test and examine local procedures and was also used to conduct a LIVEX, utilising support from local authorities and police, for moving equipment from Athens Airport to the Port. Overall a very successful exercise.

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SMERWG Jan 25

SMERWG Winter 25

The 2025 winter meeting of the Submarine Escape and Rescue Working Group (SMERWG) took place in Cascais, Portugal 27-31 Jan 25, with 138 delegates attending. As always, this conference provided a great opportunity to discuss SMER related topics with our partner nations enabling us all to enhance the knowledge across the global SMER network as well as creating and extending friendships. Many thanks to our hosts for an outstanding event.

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Rescue Systems

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