History of the Submarine Escape Training Tank

The original 15 foot tank was built in 1930 at HMS Dolphin, Gosport.
In the Royal Navy DSEA training began at this time, every officer and
rating on joining submarines was immediately given a two day course
before he was allowed to go to sea.

In 1941, SETT instructors were involved in training crews for Human
Torpedo's, Midget Submarines and Frogmen.

In 1946 Captain Philip Ruck Keene was appointed as chairman of a
committee which was to investigate and report on the efficiency and
deficiencies of the escape arrangements built into the submarines of
the Royal Navy.

It was as a result of Ruck Keene's committee, that numerous shortfalls
were identified and recommendations were made that enabled Submarine Escape and
Rescue training and developement of equipment to progress to the present day.

The present Submarine Escape Training Tank was built in 1953 and commisioned
in 1954.

DEPTH 30 metres
DIAMETER 5 metres
CAPACITY
153,051 Gallons / 695,787 litres in the Main Tank
20,160 Gallons / 91,649 litres in an underground Reservoir
8943 Gallons / 40,659 litres in the filter system
TOTAL = 182,155 Gallons / 828,095 Litres.
WATER TEMP 33 - 35 degrees C.
The Chlorination and 2 pump circulating systems are similar to most modern swimming pools.
ESCAPE COMPARTMENTS: at 9 metres, 18 metres and 30 metres, Multi Man Towers:
TAB’s / A & T for Special Forces training.

Aerial view of the Tank	Diving Bell with Built in Breathing System and Vent and Blow.

Type B Two Compartment Recompression Chamber at the Tank Top (10 man)	During the SETT’s lifetime we have trained personnel from: AMERICA, AUSTRALIA,BRAZIL,CANADA, CHILE, DENMARK, EGYPT, FRANCE, GERMANY, ISRAEL, NORWAY, NETHERLANDS,SOUTH AFRICA, SWEDEN, TURKEY, VENEZUALA. At its peak training period 1960s / 1970s, throughput was on average 4500 students per year, at present our annual student throughput is approximately 1500 per year. We have trained various methods of Escape since 1954 as our systems and equipment have developed, up to the present systems and BFA Amphibrion SEIE.

Developement of Escape Training	Developement of Escape Training Equipment

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