Navy Restoring Saturation Diving Capability at Naval Experimental Diving Unit (NEDU) in Panama City, Florida.

SAT FADS main Deck Decompression Chamber being assembled on pier next to Naval Experimental Diving Unit.

The U.S. Navy developed Saturation Diving (SAT) in the 1960’s as a safe way to extend bottom time and depth capability to 1,000 feet for deep ocean salvage and submarine rescue/recovery.  During the 80’s to mid 90’s most of the Navy’s afloat diving and salvage platforms were decommissioned, including  the Saturation diving platforms.  During 2001-2002 Navy Divers raised the engine, turret, and cannons from the USS MONITOR using a commercially leased SAT system.  Without the use of the Saturation Diving System, these items would not have been recovered.  Today, the U.S. Navy does not have any deployable SAT systems readily available for operations or training.

The Saturation Fly-Away Diving System (SAT FADS) Acquisition Program was initiated by the Director of Ocean Engineering, Supervisor of Salvage and Diving, SEA 00C, in September 2003 at the request of the Submarine Warfare Division (N87), initiated by the Assessment Division (N81), and was approved by the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO).  SAT FADS is required to retain an organic saturation diving capability to support the full range of Navy salvage and recovery operations ranging from crisis response from emergent casualties, as well as, planned response in and around the world’s littorals and continental shelves.

The Saturation Fly-Away Diving System (SAT FADS) is designed to provide a mobile and worldwide capability for deep water sustained diving operations to depths of 1,000 FSW.  SAT FADS supports 6 saturation divers for a period of 21 days, with an additional 9 days of decompression.  The system is composed of five major components;  1) The Main Deck Decompression Chamber (which includes living quarters and air lock) 2) a Manned Diving Bell, 3) the Bell Handling System, 4) A Control Van, and 5) Two Auxiliary Support Equipment Vans. It is designed to be deployed using military aircraft and commercial over the road tractor trailers and can be installed on any suitable commercial vessel of opportunity.

SAT FADS completed the fabrication phase of the acquisition lifecycle in June 2010 and was subsequently relocated to Navy Experimental Dive Unit (NEDU) in Panama City, Florida where it has been reassembled in preparation for System Integration Testing (unmanned).  SAT FADS is scheduled to complete its first manned dive prior to the end of the fiscal year.   System commissioning will continue through operational evaluation, manned dives pier side, and ultimately successful conclusion of a 1,000 foot dry saturation dive. 

SAT FADS Bell Handling System at pier’s edge.