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.

The large triennial live exercise Dynamic Monarch 2024 was conducted in the vicinity of Arendal, Norway 8th to 19th September. The exercise is conducted by COMSUBNATO and its aim was to train and demonstrate that NATO and partners can cooperate successful in life saving operations for and from a distressed submarine including all relevant medical aspects.

Units and personnel from 10 nations (CAN, DEU, FRA, GBR, NLD, NOR, POL, SWE, TUR, USA) participated this year as well as observers from the force contributing nations and other nations (ESP, GRS, SNG). The participating force consisted of 2 submarines, 7 surface vessels, MPAs, and Rescue Helicopter as well as an large international medical team (125 pax +), a para rescue team and logistic support forces. 3 major rescue systems were embarked different MOSHIPs, namely the complete NSRS, SWE- and TUR- systems as well as diving teams.

36 in water serials and 4 mass evacuation serials were successfully conducted. The serials covered all aspects of a rescue operations, including pod posting, SRV-Submarine mating with personnel transfer, and live single escape from a bottomed submarine.

The exercise was a great success and all exercise objectives were met due to the hard and professional work of the approximately 750 personnel that participated.

Coverage from international and internal media positive and extensive throughout the exercise.

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The 2024 meeting of the Submarine Escape and Rescue Working Group (SMERWG) took place in Amsterdam 17-20 Jun 24, with over 120 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.