The 2023 meeting of the Submarine Escape and Rescue Working Group (SMERWG) took place at the Marina Militare Istitutio Di Studia Militari Maritimi, in Venice, Italy, 27 through 30 June 2023. A total of 130 delegates from 20 nations attended. A number of SMER related topics were covered in depth and it was a great opportunity to share and enhance knowledge across the global SMER network as well as maintaining and extending friendships. We are truly grateful to the Italian Navy who did an outstanding job in hosting the event in the historic and marvelous city of Venice.

And so ends the Fourth NATO Coordinator Rescue Forces in Taranto, at the Submarine Flotilla Command.
We were honoured by the start of the course being officially given by the Commander of Submarines of NATO (COMSUBNATO), Rear Admiral Thomas Wall, and by the Commander of Submarines of the Navy (MARICOSOM), Rear Admiral Vito Lacerenza. 
This important two weeks in the SMER global calendar has again given a multinational, multi disciplined group of students the chance to gain knowledge of global SMER, taught by an international group of specialists, and experience practical live training scenarios to further their skills.
The course continues to grow and important work has been done by the students in establishing new ideas in how the CRF does their work during a DISSUB event, including live interactions with a major rescue asset, NSRS.
Looking to the future the course will continue to grow and improve - preliminary work has already been completed during this course in conjunction with the Italian Navy and we hope to link submarine controllers onto the course next year to achieve mutual training objectives.

KNOW PEOPLE BEFORE YOU NEED PEOPLE

Representatives from 15 nations were gathered in Garmisch-Partenkirchen to share experience and knowledge in SMER related topics. A great opportunity to keep in touch and expand the SMER network. Many thanks to USA for hosting in such a scenic environment.

After 2 weeks of training in Taranto, the 2022 Coordinator Rescue Forces course is complete.
We have shared knowledge and learned from one another with a student body representing 10 different submarine operating nations.
The course has been superbly supported and hosted by the Italian submarine school including demonstrations of submarine escape. We have also been delighted to have guest lecturers representing individual rescue and intervention assets,industry, DISSUB medical and psychology, media operations, ISMERLO website operation, and a visit to the Italian coastguard Rescue Coordination Centre in Bari.

Commander, Submarines NATO, Rear Admiral Steve Mack visited the course and highlighted the importance of knowing each other before we need each other.