SUBSAFE Certification
SUBSAFE Program - ANS-a collection of policies, rigorous procedures, and actions for ensuring
the integrity of submarine design, construction, maintenance, and alteration as it relates to the
SUBSAFE and hull integrity boundary. The two basic objectives are to prevent flooding and to
enable recovery from a flooding casualty.
Origins of SUBSAFE Program - ANS-Originated in response to circumstances surrounding loss
of USS THRESHER (SSN 593) on 10 April 1963 while on sea trials.
Joint Congressional Committee concluded that a
flooding casualty in THRESHER's engine room, resulting from a piping failure in one of the
seawater systems, most probably caused the submarine's loss.
THRESHER Design Appraisal Board determined that, although the basic design of THRESHER
was sound, measures should be taken to improve the confidence level of the material condition
of the SUBSAFE and
hull integrity boundary and of the ability of submarines to control and recover from flooding
casualties.
Submarine Safety Steering Task Group (SSSTG) - ANS-Provides high-level, comprehensive
attention to ensure adequate provision of SUBSAFE requirements. Approves or disapproves
SUBSAFE policy changes.
Chaired by SEA 07
OPNAV/NAVSEA 92/07 (WRT SUBSAFE) - ANS-As indicated earlier, OPNAV has
delegated its statutory SUBSAFE responsibilities to NAVSEA. In turn, NAVSEA has assigned
the responsibilities to SEA 07, which holds SEA 07Q accountable for implementation and
management of
the SUBSAFE Program.
NAVSEA 08 (WRT SUBSAFE) - ANS-Responsible for the reactor plant portions
of the SUBSAFE Program and for ensuring associated compliance.
Submarine Safety Oversight Committee (SSOC) - ANS-The SSOC provides independent
command-level oversight of the SUBSAFE Program to ensure, from a Commander, Naval Sea
Systems Command perspective, that the purpose and intent of the
SUBSAFE Program are being met by the Deputy Commander for Undersea Warfare (NAVSEA
07).
Chaired by SEA 09
, SUBSAFE Working Group (SSWG) - ANS-Provides SEA 07Q with direct liaison and input
regarding SUBSAFE Program performance and improvement recommendations. The SSWG
is composed of NAVSEA/PEO-SUB SUBSAFE representatives and fleet/field SUBSAFE
representatives.
Chaired by SEA 07Q
SUBSAFE Review Group (SSRG) - ANS-The NAVSEA/PEO-SUB contingent of the SSWG
makes up the SSRG. Operating under a Memorandum of Agreement, the SSRG reviews and
recommends disposition of SUBSAFE Manual change recommendations submitted to SEA 07Q
for incorporation into the SUBSAFE Manual.
Chaired by SEA 07Q
NAVSEA Submarine Program Managers (WRT SUBSAFE) - ANS-Responsible for executing the
SUBSAFE Program for assigned ships on a class basis. PMSs are members of the SSSTG;
their SUBSAFE Directors are members of the SSWG and SSRG.
NAVSEA Technical Codes (WRT SUBSAFE) - ANS-Provide technical assistance in resolving
SUBSAFE issues and problems. SEA 05U7TC and SEA 05U3,
members of the SSWG and SSRG, are the primary NAVSEA technical codes with which SEA
07Q directly interfaces. (The SUBSAFE Manual designates SEA 05 as the final technical
authority.)
SYs and SUPSHIPS (WRT SUBSAFE) - ANS-Responsible for developing and implementing
local instructions and procedures necessary to implement requirements. Shipyard SUBSAFE
Program Directors (SSPDs), along with SUPSHIP Groton and SUPSHIP Newport News, are
members of the SSWG.
TYCOMS (WRT SUBSAFE) - ANS-Responsible for maintenance of SUBSAFE certification after
initial NAVSEA Unrestricted Operations (URO) certification. Members of the SSWG.
SUBMEPP (WRT SUBSAFE) - ANS-Responsible for ensuring that SUBSAFE
requirements are properly reflected in maintenance, engineering,
planning, and procurement. Member of the SSWG.
Purpose of SUBSAFE Certification Process - ANS-To provide maximum reasonable assurance
of hull
integrity to preclude flooding and of the operability and integrity of critical systems and
components to control and recover from a flooding casualty.
Maximum reasonable assurance is achieved by initially SUBSAFE-certifying each submarine
upon delivery to the Navy and maintaining SUBSAFE certification throughout the life of the
SUBSAFE Program - ANS-a collection of policies, rigorous procedures, and actions for ensuring
the integrity of submarine design, construction, maintenance, and alteration as it relates to the
SUBSAFE and hull integrity boundary. The two basic objectives are to prevent flooding and to
enable recovery from a flooding casualty.
Origins of SUBSAFE Program - ANS-Originated in response to circumstances surrounding loss
of USS THRESHER (SSN 593) on 10 April 1963 while on sea trials.
Joint Congressional Committee concluded that a
flooding casualty in THRESHER's engine room, resulting from a piping failure in one of the
seawater systems, most probably caused the submarine's loss.
THRESHER Design Appraisal Board determined that, although the basic design of THRESHER
was sound, measures should be taken to improve the confidence level of the material condition
of the SUBSAFE and
hull integrity boundary and of the ability of submarines to control and recover from flooding
casualties.
Submarine Safety Steering Task Group (SSSTG) - ANS-Provides high-level, comprehensive
attention to ensure adequate provision of SUBSAFE requirements. Approves or disapproves
SUBSAFE policy changes.
Chaired by SEA 07
OPNAV/NAVSEA 92/07 (WRT SUBSAFE) - ANS-As indicated earlier, OPNAV has
delegated its statutory SUBSAFE responsibilities to NAVSEA. In turn, NAVSEA has assigned
the responsibilities to SEA 07, which holds SEA 07Q accountable for implementation and
management of
the SUBSAFE Program.
NAVSEA 08 (WRT SUBSAFE) - ANS-Responsible for the reactor plant portions
of the SUBSAFE Program and for ensuring associated compliance.
Submarine Safety Oversight Committee (SSOC) - ANS-The SSOC provides independent
command-level oversight of the SUBSAFE Program to ensure, from a Commander, Naval Sea
Systems Command perspective, that the purpose and intent of the
SUBSAFE Program are being met by the Deputy Commander for Undersea Warfare (NAVSEA
07).
Chaired by SEA 09
, SUBSAFE Working Group (SSWG) - ANS-Provides SEA 07Q with direct liaison and input
regarding SUBSAFE Program performance and improvement recommendations. The SSWG
is composed of NAVSEA/PEO-SUB SUBSAFE representatives and fleet/field SUBSAFE
representatives.
Chaired by SEA 07Q
SUBSAFE Review Group (SSRG) - ANS-The NAVSEA/PEO-SUB contingent of the SSWG
makes up the SSRG. Operating under a Memorandum of Agreement, the SSRG reviews and
recommends disposition of SUBSAFE Manual change recommendations submitted to SEA 07Q
for incorporation into the SUBSAFE Manual.
Chaired by SEA 07Q
NAVSEA Submarine Program Managers (WRT SUBSAFE) - ANS-Responsible for executing the
SUBSAFE Program for assigned ships on a class basis. PMSs are members of the SSSTG;
their SUBSAFE Directors are members of the SSWG and SSRG.
NAVSEA Technical Codes (WRT SUBSAFE) - ANS-Provide technical assistance in resolving
SUBSAFE issues and problems. SEA 05U7TC and SEA 05U3,
members of the SSWG and SSRG, are the primary NAVSEA technical codes with which SEA
07Q directly interfaces. (The SUBSAFE Manual designates SEA 05 as the final technical
authority.)
SYs and SUPSHIPS (WRT SUBSAFE) - ANS-Responsible for developing and implementing
local instructions and procedures necessary to implement requirements. Shipyard SUBSAFE
Program Directors (SSPDs), along with SUPSHIP Groton and SUPSHIP Newport News, are
members of the SSWG.
TYCOMS (WRT SUBSAFE) - ANS-Responsible for maintenance of SUBSAFE certification after
initial NAVSEA Unrestricted Operations (URO) certification. Members of the SSWG.
SUBMEPP (WRT SUBSAFE) - ANS-Responsible for ensuring that SUBSAFE
requirements are properly reflected in maintenance, engineering,
planning, and procurement. Member of the SSWG.
Purpose of SUBSAFE Certification Process - ANS-To provide maximum reasonable assurance
of hull
integrity to preclude flooding and of the operability and integrity of critical systems and
components to control and recover from a flooding casualty.
Maximum reasonable assurance is achieved by initially SUBSAFE-certifying each submarine
upon delivery to the Navy and maintaining SUBSAFE certification throughout the life of the
