The UK Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) has announced the delivery of a submarine escape, rescue, abandonment and survival (SMERAS) training building.
The facility is said to have been delivered with an investment of £34m. It is for the Royal Navy at HMNB Clyde in Faslane.
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It will allow the navy to conduct necessary on-shore training, which includes vital escape, rescue, abandonment and survival techniques in a controllable training environment.
The SMERAS facility was funded by the navy as a major investment for the personnel training. The project was delivered by DIO, while Kier Graham Defence was the contractor.
It features a simulator to allow the trainees to experience different realistic weather conditions and sea states, such as wind, rain, and storms.
This will ensure that they practise in a secure and low-risk environment before they are assigned to a real submarine.
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By GlobalDataRoyal Navy Command Infrastructure assistant head John Thomson said: “The facility provides class specific high-fidelity escape towers and escape compartments, a training pool capable of replicating the environmental conditions that submarine escapes may need to be carried out in and supporting classrooms, offices, workshops, plant rooms and changing areas.”
The simulator will replace Submarine Escape Training Tank at Fort Blockhouse in Gosport.
Construction of the facility was completed before the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.
DIO programme director said: “DIO is proud to have delivered this world-class facility to the Royal Navy.
“The SMERAS demonstrates DIO’s expertise in completing complex and one-of-a-kind projects to enable our navy to access the most modern training available.
“It also affirms our commitment to support HMNB Clyde in becoming a centre of excellence for submariners.”
In July this year, DIO announced a £64m ($81m) investment for the redevelopment of the Northern Ammunition Jetty in Glen Mallan.
