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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

DYNH24

Exercise DYNAMIC MONARCH 24

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.

https://www.natomultimedia.tv/app/asset/709068

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SMERWG Summer 24 - Amsterdam

SMERWG 2024

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.

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Royal Australian Navy Coordinator Rescue Force Course 2024

The 2024 Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Coordinator of Rescue Forces (CRF) course was held on Garden Island in Western Australia and will conclude 02 August. Students represented Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam, along with RAN students. The CRF course was opened by CDRE Tom Phillips, Commodore of the RAN Submarine Force, and CAPT Richard Lindsey, CSC, Director of the Submarine School. The course highlighted the growing submarine focus in the Australasian region and the growing Escape and Rescue Capabilities of many nations in the area. Fellow submariners all united that safety of human life in a crisis should transcend national borders. Timing of the 2025 course is yet to be determined, but will is open to any nation.

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NATO Coordinator Rescue Forces course 2024

The 5th NATO Coordinator Rescue Forces in Taranto will conclude on the 12th July 2024, at the Submarine Flotilla Command.

With students from Chile, Columbia, Poland, the UK and the Netherlands and specialisations in diving, submarines and training 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 Thomas Wall, and by the Commander of Submarines of the Navy (MARICOSOM), Rear Admiral Vito Lacerenza. 
The course continues to grow with feedback from the students being an important aspect of the development process. We are also pleased to announce the second of the Submarine Controller SMER event management course that is now available to international students.

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The Royal Canadian Navy SUBMED course

SUBMED 23 has ended after being fantastically hosted and run by the RCN.

Two weeks consisting of lectures and embarkation onboard the HMCS HARRY DEWOLF

It is the generosity of people taking time out of their very busy schedules that is most remarkable. Invaluable practical training was achieved and a brilliant road test of new features on ismerlo.org for DISSUB medical teams.

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Rescue Systems

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