Phoenix, SUPSALV Perform Record 3.6-mile Deep Salvage
Photo courtesy Phoenix International Holdings, Inc.
Phoenix International Holdings, Inc. (Phoenix), under the direction of the U.S. Navy’s Supervisor of Salvage and Diving (SUPSALV), located and recovered the fuselage of a downed MH-60S Seahawk helicopter in the Pacific, near Okinawa, Japan, from a record breaking depth of 19,075 feet.
This equates to just over 3.6 miles beneath the sea and is 266 feet deeper than the previous salvage record, also set by Phoenix and SUPSALV during an operation in 2019. The helicopter was located in March of 2020 using the U.S. Navy’s Autonomous Underwater Vehicle “Trondheim” and then, a year later, Phoenix and SUPSALV returned to the site and recovered the helicopter on March 21st, 2021 using the U.S. Navy’s Remotely Operated Vehicle “CURV 21” and Fly Away Deep Ocean Salvage System.
Australia terminates submarine rescue system contract
25 January 2021
by Richard Scott
Australia has cancelled a contract with Phoenix International for the delivery of a new submarine escape, rescue, and abandonment system (SERAS) intended to support the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN’s) Collins-class submarines and the planned new Attack-class boats.
The RAN’s on-call submarine escape and rescue capability is currently provided by JFD Australia and includes the submarine rescue vehicle LR5 (pictured) and a Scorpio 45 intervention ROV. (US Navy)
The termination, announced by the Australian Department of Defence (DoD) on 21 January, follows a review of the project last year. The DoD said it will now work with Phoenix International to reach a settlement that will include addressing arrangements with the company and its subcontractors.