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.

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.

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.

On November 8, 2024, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) concluded a critical Submarine Medicine Course in Victoria, BC, following a simulated submarine emergency. The training, designed to enhance the medical readiness of clinicians, focused on handling medical crises in the unique and challenging environment of submarines. The course included realistic scenarios, such as trauma care, decompression sickness treatment, and psychological support for crew members, addressing both physical and mental health needs. Medical personnel from Canada, United Kingdom, United States, Australia, Netherlands, Singapore, and Portugal worked together in high-pressure drills to practice emergency responses. The exercise was conducted on a Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) Arctic Offshore Patrol Vessel (AOPV), which had multiple hyperbaric chambers and medical shelters position on its flight deck to serve a platform to conduct a submarine rescue. A key element of this year's training was the focus on mental health, recognizing the psychological toll of extended underwater deployments. The course also emphasized the importance of teamwork and communication among multinational allies during a crisis. This course also marked the final one organized by Lieutenant Commander (LCdr) Kirby, who has led submarine medicine training for several years. LCdr Kirby’s leadership has been instrumental in shaping the program, ensuring that medical teams are well-prepared for the unique challenges of submarine operations. The successful completion of the Submarine Medicine Course and SUBSAR Ex underscored the importance of international cooperation and shared expertise in submarine medicine, enhancing the global readiness of naval forces in responding to maritime medical emergencies.