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My total knowledge regarding submarines is practically 0. I have a (somewhat) technical question that I hope my better qualified fellow readers can answer. Are

My total knowledge regarding submarines is practically 0. I have a (somewhat) technical question that I hope my better qualified fellow readers can answer. Are there any "distress call devices" which are/could be used in such situations? If not, what would the technical difficulties be, for creating and vertically launching a torpedo equipped with a beacon? If the sub is unable to move and/or broadcast, the beacon would begin transmitting when reaching the surface. I would imagine that launching such a beacon (visual & GPS & ...) would reduce the search area.

koliber 9y ago
There is a device called an EPIRB that is often carried on sailboats. It is a floating radio transmitter that contacts a global satellite network in case of emergencies. It transmits a distress signal as well as its location. It can be manually activated. It also activates automatically on contact with water. I would imagine it would be possible to create an EPIRB-like device for submarines.
- NikolaeVarius 9y ago
  Submarines do have the EPIRB. This submarine was also confirmed to be equipped with one. One of the reasons that this disappearance was weird was that there wasn't even a trace of the EPIRB activating on this sub so we're not even sure if it "sank" https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2017/11/us-navy-sends-underwater-robots-to-assist-in-search-for-argentine-sub/ https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2017/11/us-na...
- gruturo 9y ago
  (some) Submarines have one or more emergency beacons which automatically detach if they reach crush depth, rising to the surface and starting to transmit. In a very shallow area the sub might be sitting on the bed but not below crush depth, so the buoy would not automatically detach. Of course it can also be operated by the crew, but it's really an absolute last resort thing.

koliber 9y ago

There is a device called an EPIRB that is often carried on sailboats. It is a floating radio transmitter that contacts a global satellite network in case of emergencies. It transmits a distress signal as well as its location. It can be manually activated. It also activates automatically on contact with water. I would imagine it would be possible to create an EPIRB-like device for submarines.

NikolaeVarius 9y ago
Submarines do have the EPIRB. This submarine was also confirmed to be equipped with one. One of the reasons that this disappearance was weird was that there wasn't even a trace of the EPIRB activating on this sub so we're not even sure if it "sank" https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2017/11/us-navy-sends-underwater-robots-to-assist-in-search-for-argentine-sub/ https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2017/11/us-na...
gruturo 9y ago
(some) Submarines have one or more emergency beacons which automatically detach if they reach crush depth, rising to the surface and starting to transmit. In a very shallow area the sub might be sitting on the bed but not below crush depth, so the buoy would not automatically detach. Of course it can also be operated by the crew, but it's really an absolute last resort thing.