South Korea and the U.S. Conduct Maritime Disaster Special Rescue Drill After 2 Years... U.S. Mobile Diving Unit Participates

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter]The navies of South Korea and the United States conducted a high-intensity special training to rescue lives and vessels during maritime disasters for the first time in two years.

From the 9th to the 15th of last month, the two navies held the "ROK-US Combined Rescue Exercise" in the area around Jinhae Bay, Gyeongnam Province, to strengthen joint rescue capabilities in the event of maritime disasters such as ship sinkings.

This exercise is a humanitarian training conducted to rescue lives and damaged vessels in maritime distress situations and to remove obstacles in ports and waterways to ensure the safe navigation of ships. It had been held annually on a regular basis but was suspended last year due to the impact of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

The exercise, resumed after two years, involved 16 members of the Navy Special Warfare Flotilla's Maritime Rescue Unit (SSU), one rescue support boat, and 17 members of the U.S. Navy Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU).

During the training period, the rescue units of both countries conducted intensive activities including tactical discussions, land and underwater demolition training to remove underwater obstacles along navigation routes, and simulated underwater search training of sunken vessels using remotely operated vehicles (ROVs).

On the final day, in the waters off Jinhae Naval Port, divers from both countries performed "damaged ship damage assessment and emergency repair training," quickly identifying damaged parts of a vessel underwater using surface-supplied diving system (SSDS) and conducting urgent repairs.

The SSDS method is a system designed to supply air and enable communication to divers underwater through hoses and communication cables connected outside the water. This allows divers to perform search and rescue missions safely and efficiently.

The Navy explained, "Through such training, both countries cultivate joint rescue operation capabilities in times of crisis and enhance interoperability of rescue equipment."

Meanwhile, to prevent COVID-19, all participants underwent PCR (polymerase chain reaction) testing and self-isolation, and high-intensity quarantine guidelines were applied, including staying on board without commuting during the exercise.