Undersea Rescue Command

Undersea Rescue Command, Naval Base Coronado, California

The Undersea Rescue Command (URC) is the U.S. Navy’s official command for the rescue of sailors during a submarine casualty. Its mission is worldwide submarine assessment, intervention, and rescue. The Time to First Rescue (TTFR) requirement is 72 hours. All rescue assets and associated equipment is packed and loaded onto multiple transport aircraft, flown to the closest capable host vessel, and installed on its deck within this time frame. The URC conducts its operation using deep submergence systems which include a remotely operated underwater vehicle, submarine rescue chamber, pressurized rescue module, and side scan sonar. The URC conducts exercises and conferences around the world to train, share and deliver undersea rescue operations. Unit operations include diver support and equipment storage and maintenance; rescue asset storage and maintenance; staging and mobilization activities; and administrative support for the unit.

The partial two-story existing facility housed approximately 33,200 square feet (SF) of administration and storage space. The western portion of administrative space consists of ground floor labs and shops, and a caged tool storage area. There is a partial mezzanine above used for low density storage. Building 497 was under-utilized and did not comply with seismic, ADA, fire protection and life safety requirements. The outdated MEP systems in Building 497, dispersed locations of URC staff, and placement of rescue systems in unprotected open storage areas impacted mission capability’s ability to increase URC operations and lower maintenance costs.

This project constructs a new 25,704 square foot high-bay operational storage building on a pile foundation with reinforced concrete slab, structural steel framing and a standing seam roof to house URC deployable rescue assets, support equipment and spare parts. The central bay is serviced by two (2) overhead cranes rated at 25 tons per each crane, which both stores and maneuvers the Transfer Under Pressure (TUP) rescue equipment, and house eight fully loaded tractor trailers that are on-call for supporting rescue missions.