DSRV-2 Avalon

For other ships with the same name, see USS Avalon.

DSRV-2 Avalon was a Mystic-class deep-submergence rescue vehicle rated to dive up to 5,000 feet (1,500 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

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 & 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 (1,500 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]

Awards

• Meritorious Unit Commendation with star (2 awards)
• Navy E Ribbon (2 awards)
• National Defense Service Medal with star (2 awards)

In fiction

• Avalon features in the 1984 Tom Clancy novel The Hunt for Red October and the 1990 film adaptation.

See also

• Mystic-class deep-submergence rescue vehicle
• DSRV-1 Mystic – US Navy deep-submergence rescue vehicle