DSRV-2 Avalon

DSRV-2 Avalon was a Mystic-class deep-submergence rescue vehicle rated to dive up to 5000 feet (1500 m) to rescue submarine crews trapped deep under the sea. The submarine was acquired in response to the loss of the USS Thresher, so that the Navy would have a way to rescue trapped submarine crews.[1]

Avalon at Morro Bay
For other ships with the same name, see USS Avalon.
For other uses, see Avalon (disambiguation).
Avalon (DSRV-2) aboard a support ship.
History
United States
Name:
  • Official: DSRV-2
  • Unofficial: Avalon
Builder: Lockheed Missiles and Space Company, Sunnyvale, California
Launched: 1971
Out of service: 2000
General characteristics
Class and type: DSRV-1- (Mystic-) class deep submergence rescue vehicle
Displacement: 30.5 tons surfaced, 37 tons submerged
Length: 49 ft (15 m)
Beam: 8 ft (2.4 m); Width 11 ft (3.4 m)
Installed power: 15 shaft horsepower (11 kW)
Propulsion: Electric motors, silver-zinc batteries, one shaft, four thrusters
Speed: 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph)
Endurance: 30 hours submerged at 3 knots (5.6 km/h)
Test depth: 5,000 feet (1,524 meters)
Capacity: 24 passengers
Complement: Four (two pilots and two rescue personnel)

Avalon was launched in 1971. The submarine, intended to be air transportable, is 50 feet (15 m) long, 8 feet (2.4 m) in diameter, and weighs 37 tons. The sub is capable of descending to 5,000 feet (1,500 m) below the surface and could carry 24 passengers at a time in addition to her crew. Avalon is battery-powered, and would have needed to pause midway through a rescue mission to recharge its batteries.[1]

Avalon was stationed at North Island Naval Station in San Diego and was never required to conduct an actual rescue operation. The sub was decommissioned in 2000. The Avalon submarine was donated to the Morro Bay Maritime Museum in Morro Bay, California, and is currently on public display.[2]

See also

References
  1. Liewer, Steve (6 March 2009). "Goodbye to Mystic minisub, hello to Falcon". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 4 May 2019.
  2. "The Fleet - Morro Bay". Morro Bay Maritime Museum. Retrieved 20 April 2019.

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