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.”

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.

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.

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.