Submarine Escape Training Facility (Australia)

The Submarine Escape Training Facility (SETF), also known as the Submarine Escape and Rescue Centre (SERC), is a facility used by submariners of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) to train in the techniques needed to escape from a submarine in trouble.

Submarine use in the RAN began in 1913 with the E class submarines AE1 and AE2. Both were lost during World War I; AE1 disappearing with all hands. In the inter-war years, the RAN operated six J class submarines, then two Odin class submarines. After a long break, six British-designed Oberon class were purchased; the RAN relied entirely on the Royal Navy for their expertise in submarine escape methods and equipment. Communications between the two nations showed some breakdown during the 1980s, and with the introduction of the Collins class submarines, the RAN had a need to establish their own corporate knowledge in these techniques.

The SETF was built during 1987 at HMAS Stirling, located on Garden Island, Western Australia. Prior to this, RAN submariners were trained at the Submarine Escape Training Tower at HMS Dolphin in Gosport, England. The SETF is the only submarine escape training system in the southern hemisphere, and one of only six operational worldwide.

The SETF was originally manned solely by the RAN. However, the regular reposting of instructors caused a knowledge drain; to counteract this, the RAN contracted civilian diving companies to provide the training. Management of the facility was contracted to Australian Submarine Corporation (ASC), but in January 2009, The Australian newspaper reported that the SETF had sat unused since May 2008 because of a contract dispute between ASC and the RAN. RAN personnel were sent to Canada for escape training until March 2011, when the SETF reopened.

...
Wikipedia