Sindhurakshak

Mumbai | India

The INS Sindhurakshak, a Russian-built Kilo-class Submarine, experienced a torpedo room fire, leading to its sinking at the pier during loadout operations in preparation for sea patrol. With a full complement of torpedoes/missiles and a full fuel load, the Indian Navy conducted extensive internal diving operations for personnel recovery. Resolve Marine was contracted for the salvage and safe delivery of the sunken submarine onto a suitable barge.

Despite challenging local water conditions, the project involved 'black water' diving. Over one hundred personnel from India and worldwide converged in Mumbai, engaging in continuous 24/7 operations. Resolve Marine executed various critical tasks, including hot-tapping fuel recovery, neutralizing and recovering live ordnance from both inside and outside the vessel, all conducted safely by specialist EOD divers.

The final project phase entailed refloating the submarine and delivering it to the Indian Navy on a barge. Utilizing hydraulic chain pullers and submersible pumps, Resolve Marine successfully achieved the submarine's refloating and positioning onto the RMG 257 using a drydock and custom-built submarine cradles. This operation was highly time-sensitive, considering the impending monsoon season and the Navy's strict timeline.

Following the handover to the Indian Navy, Resolve Marine takes great pride of the successful, safe completion of the INS Sindhurakshak salvage operation.