MSM-1

MSM-1 USEL (Unità di Soccorso E Lavoro - Rescue and Work Vessel) was a deep-submergence rescue vehicle (DSRV) that was rated to dive up to 600 m (1,969 ft).[1] It was built by Cantieri Navali Ernesto Breda/Fincantieri for the Marina Militare. The sub was capable of descending to 600 metres (2,000 ft) below the surface and could carry 8 passengers at a time in addition to her crew. MSM-1 USEL was hosted by mother ship Anteo at La Spezia from 1980 to 2002. That year MSM-1 USEL was replaced by the DRASS Galeazzi SRV-300.

History
Italy
Name: MSM-1 USEL (Unità Soccorso E Lavoro)
Namesake: Woodstock (Peanuts)
Builder: Cantieri Navali Ernesto Breda, Marghera (Venezia)
Launched: 1977
Commissioned: 1980
Decommissioned: 2002
General characteristics
Class and type: Deep submergence rescue vehicle
Displacement: 12.0 tons
Length: 8.0 m (26.2 ft)
Beam: 1.9 m (6.2 ft)
Height: 2.7 m (8.9 ft)
Propulsion: Hydraulic motors
Speed: +5 knots (9.3 km/h; 5.8 mph) max speed; 2 knots (3.7 km/h; 2.3 mph) cruise speed
Endurance: 8 hours at 2 knots (3.7 km/h; 2.3 mph); 120 hours in emergency with only 2 pilots on-board
Test depth: 600 m (2,000 ft) (operating); +900 m (3,000 ft) (collapse depth)
Capacity: 8 rescuees
Complement: 2
Sensors and
processing systems:
  • Echo-sounder ELAC LAZ-100
  • TV camera
  • Underwater telephone
Notes: pressure hull was made of HY-80 steel

Characteristics

MSM-1 USEL was the first submersible vehicle for underwater research and work of completely Italian conception. The basic design of MSM-1 USEL was done by ESCO of Milan. The pressure hull is made of HY-80 steel and subdivided in two compartments: a cylinder with hemispherical ends located aft, and a sphere forward, interconnected by a cylindrical tunnel. The afterbody is tapered and finishes with the propeller cone. Aft stability planes, two vertical and two horizontal, are arranged forward of the propeller.

History

MSM-1 was updated (MLU - MidLife Update) in 1989 by MARITALIA of Fiumicino. Work took a year to complete and the vessel was renamed MSM-1S USEL. The DSRV's maximum depth was established near Cinqueterre (La Spezia) at 480 m (1,575 ft).

Museum

Since 8 September 2015 MSM-1S USEL has been held by the Museo Tecnico Navale (Naval Technical Museum) [2] of La Spezia [3] and now is preserved for the public.

References
  1. "A Bordo Dell' Anteo". Betasom - XI Gruppo Sommergibili Atlantici.
  2. "Naval Technical Museum La Spezia - Marina Militare". www.marina.difesa.it.
  3. "Museo Tecnico Navale". www.ilmarenelcuore.it.
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