Teesside Branch Event: Saving Lives - Submarine Rescue (online)

What will the event cover?

In the unlikely, but unfortunate event that a military submarine should become stranded on the seabed (DISSUB), it is likely the submariners on board are unable to return to the surface unharmed due to excessive diving depths in which conventional evacuation cannot be performed. A smaller, more versatile manned submarine is required to deploy and rescue the stricken submariners on board.

FET have been the market leader in the supply of rescue submersible vehicle (SRV) systems. Since 1975 FET have pioneered the development of manned submersibles. One previously delivered system includes the NATO Submarine Rescue System (NSRS) which entered service in 2008. NSRS is on constant standby and is rescue ready 24 hours, 365 days a year. Subsequent SRV deliveries include China and Vietnam and most recently the new LR600 SRV, awarded in 2025 from the Indonesian Navy.

Being a manned subsea vehicle, the design of a rescue submarine systems encompasses all elements of engineering excellence, including safety, code compliance and quality assurance. The talk will present the various elements of the design, manufacture, testing and trials currently being employed towards the new flagship LR600 Rescue vehicle.  The presentation will address the various elements within the SRV design being:

• Lloyd’s Register Accreditation and Code Compliancy
• Pressure Hull and Hatches
• Lifting Appliances
• Propulsion
• Air and Oxygen
• Life Support
• Main and Emergency Hydraulics
• Depth, Bilge and Ballast
• Electrical
• Fire and Safety

As a precursor to the SRV, an introduction to FET and its portfolio of subsea vehicles shall be presented.

Our industry expert:

James Foster-Rain BEng (1st Class) CEng MIMechE

Meet the speaker: 

James Foster-Rain is the Engineering Manager at Forum Energy Technologies (formerly Perry Slingsby Systems Limited PSSL). He has served for 23 years within a mechanical engineering discipline.

Whilst at FET he has progressed from design engineer to senior engineer, project engineer and subsea tooling manager. Achieved Chartership in 2012 via the IMechE. In 2024 he was appointed Engineering Manager, managing a department of over 30 personnel of mixed engineering disciplines.

James has been involved in all areas of the subsea design, manufacture and testing for ROVs, trencher systems and submarine rescue vehicles. Whilst at FET he has participated full time on the flag ship rescue submarine systems, namely the NATO system. These projects have enabled James to travel and work abroad and participate on mobilizations and sea trials for NATO, the Chinese and Vietnamese Navies. During his earlier years at FET, James focused on mechanical design and structural engineering.

Prior to joining FET, James left school and joined the automotive industry working at Federal Mogul for 10 years, included 3 years in Germany. Whilst at Federal Mogul he served his mechanical apprenticeship and then attended University via the company sponsorship scheme. He achieved a First-Class Honours degree in Mechanical engineering then subsequently moved to Germany as a graduate mechanical engineer.

Benefits from attending the event:

• Information transfer from experts
• Discussion, questions and answers on the specific topics
• A broader understanding of the extent of standards in the industry
• Attendance of this event qualifies for CPD 

Continuing Professional Development (CPD):

The Welding Institute awards points towards CPD for delegates attending this webinar. Every hour attendance of an event will earn 2 points towards your continuing professional development.