The LR7 is a

deep-submergence rescue vehicle A deep-submergence rescue vehicle (DSRV) is a type of deep-submergence vehicle used for rescue of downed submarines and clandestine missions. While DSRV is the term most often used by the United States Navy, other nations have different design ...

(DSRV) of the

People's Republic of China China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population exceeding 1.4 billion, slightly ahead of India. China spans the equivalent of five time zones and ...

's People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). It was built by Perry Slingsby of

Britain Britain most often refers to: * The United Kingdom, a sovereign state in Europe comprising the island of Great Britain, the north-eastern part of the island of Ireland and many smaller islands * Great Britain, the largest island in the United King ...

and is a development of the LR5 DSRV. The LR7 entered service in 2009.

Development

In 2000 and 2001, Chinese representatives attended international submarine rescue conferences and exercises. This may have followed the 1995 accident suffered by Chinese submarine ''361'' while surfaced leading to the deaths of the entire crew. China entered negotiations to purchase DSRVs from Britain or

Canada Canada is a country in North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering over , making it the world's second-largest country by tot ...

which may have resulted in the order for the LR7 through Rolls-Royce Marine. The LR7 was tested in Loch Linnhe,

Scotland Scotland (, ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. Covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain, mainland Scotland has a Anglo-Scottish border, border with England to the southeast ...

, in September 2008. It was delivered and entered service in 2009. The Type 926 submarine support ship was developed to deploy the LR7. The first was laid down in 2007 and entered service in 2010.

Design

The LR7 may operate at depths of 500 meters and may dock with submarines with their bows 60 degrees up. The DSRV is has a Scorpio 45

remotely operated underwater vehicle A remotely operated underwater vehicle (technically ROUV or just ROV) is a tethered underwater mobile device, commonly called ''underwater robot''. Definition This meaning is different from remote control vehicles operating on land or in the a ...

with a 1000 meter umbilical. The ROV is used to locate submarines, clear obstructions from escape hatches, and replenish life support stores.

References

Sources

* * {{authority control Deep-submergence rescue vehicles Submarines of the People's Liberation Army Navy Lifeboats