An important development since the last Exercise Sorbet Royal in 2002 has been the establishment of ISMERLO, the International Submarine Escape and Rescue Liaison Office. Located in Norfolk Virginia in the USA, it has an international staff led by salvage and rescue expert, Commander Bill Orr USN (Retd).

The aim of ISMERLO is to be the international co-ordinating authority for submarine rescue system and support ships. Thus ensuring that one of the world’s several rescue systems is available to be deployed at immediate notice.

Key to the success of ISMERLO is web based coordination of submarine rescue assets and experts from around the globe.  ISMERLO maintains immediate access to a miriad of databases essential to mount a complex rescue operation, such as  information of suitable mother ships for portable rescue systems such as the soon to be introduced NSRS (UK, France and Norway) and SRDRS (US). http://www.ismerlo.org

The web based coordination site provides rescue planners instant access to vital information and tools including the ISMERLO internet based chat communications system which has already proved a valuable source of advice and information during the HMCS Chicoutimi  incident.