A modern submarine is a powerful technical complex capable of effectively solving combat missions while remaining invulnerable to the enemy. One of the most important maneuvers of this ship is diving. Transferring the boat to a submerged position requires attention and accuracy in performing all operations.
Normal submarine dive
Diving is understood as the transition of a submarine from surface to submerged position. The same type of maneuver includes a change in the depth of diving when the vessel goes to the lower levels of the water column. When submerged, special tanks of the main ballast are filled with water. While submerged, the boat can change the diving depth using the horizontal rudders.
A normal dive is carried out in two stages and is performed most often in areas with poor maneuvering conditions, for training purposes, and at the discretion of the ship commander. In this case, the end ballast tanks are filled first, and then the middle group of tanks. During normal maneuver, the fast dive tank remains empty.
The dive is preceded by preparation: the holds are drained, the compartments are ventilated, the condition of the battery is checked. The dive point is selected in advance. When approaching it, the boat's course is stopped. The very process of going under the water is preceded by a special team, according to which the personnel take their places, corresponding to the official schedule.
Surveillance of the surface situation is transferred to the conning tower and is carried out using radio equipment or by means of a periscope. After diving, the boat goes into the so-called positional position. The crew is now checking the ship's compartments to determine how well the hull is sealed.
How an Urgent Dive is Performed
In a combat situation, there are times when the boat needs to be submerged as quickly as possible. This usually involves only one combat shift. The signal for an urgent dive can be given by the ship commander or the officer of the watch. Having heard the command "All down", the crew on the bridge immediately descends into the submarine and takes their places, following the incoming commands.
At the same time, the diesel units and nose clutches are disconnected, the outboard openings and shafts, through which air is supplied to the diesels, are battened down. The watch officer closes the upper conning tower. The filling of the main ballast tanks begins, the electric motors are switched on. The rapid dive tank is being purged and prepared for the maneuver.
In an urgent dive, the crew pays special attention to constantly checking the position of the ship. This is necessary so that the increasing trim does not exceed the permissible value, since in this case the boat may well lose its buoyancy. The experience of the ship commander plays a huge role here, as well as the clear and coordinated work of the crew.