NSS “Guillobel” Submarine Relief Ship

The Brazilian Navy acquired a diving support vessel (DSV) formerly operated by Bahraini company Adams Offshore in October 2019. NSS Guillobel (ex-Adams Challenge) is able to operate in mild glacial temperatures, which will enable it to support the Brazilian Antarctic Program (PROANTAR) under summer conditions. Unlike predecessor NSS Felinto Perry (K 11), the newly commissioned submarine rescue vessel has received a red-white paint scheme, demonstrating its ice-going capabilities.

Delivered by Spain’s Balenciaga Shipyard in 2009, the 85-meter-long Adams Challenge replaced NSS Felinto Perry as the Brazilian Navy’s sole submarine rescue vessel. A cadre of 35 officers and enlisted sailors were in Abu Dhabi, where Adams Challenge was moored, to undergo familiarisation and training prior to bringing the vessel to Brazil.

The Arsenal of Navy of Rio de Janeiro (AMRJ), aiming to prepare the Submarine Relief Ship “Guillobel” (NSS “Guillobel”) for its incorporation into the Armada, finished, in 30ABR, the services necessary to characterize the environment on a military ship. The main works carried out, emphasizing the meticulousness on the part of the masters and the team involved, were the painting in red color, identifying the concept of the ship by its particular assignment, and the conversion of compartments in Praça D'Armas, Radio Station and Escoteria , in addition to repairs to the deck and other structures.

The incorporation of the NSS “Guillobel” took place on May 12, in a ceremony chaired by the then Chief of Staff of the Navy, Squadron Admiral Celso Luiz Nazareth, at the Submarine Base Almirante Castro e Silva. In a ceremony chaired by the Chief of Staff of the Navy, the Guillobel was incorporated into the Navy, named after Admiral Renato Almeida Guillobel.

Built at the request of the company ADAMS Offshore, at the Balenciaga shipyard in Zumai, Spain, in 2009, the so-called “Adams Challenge” was designed to perform deep diving. Since then, it has remained operating saturated diving in the Gulfs of Mexico and Guinea and, more recently, in the Middle East.

The fourth Submarine Relief Ship of the century-old Submarine Force bears the name of submariner Admiral Renato Almeida Guillobel. Today, with the national flag flying at its stern, the NSS “Guillobel” gives strength to the Brazilian Naval Power, modernizing the capacity to rescue submarine crews.

The new acquisition of the fleet incorporates new technologies, offering a wide range of capabilities to the Brazilian Navy, with a dynamic positioning system, which automatically controls the vessel's position and boarding by means of active propulsion, a system widely used in oil exploration in deep waters, which adds up to an important capacity to rescue damaged submarines, being capable of fulfilling diving support missions, ROV operations, as well as providing research support.

A feature of the new NSS of the Brazilian Navy is the “Moon Pool”, which is an opening in the hull allowing access to water, which guarantees the ability to operate with divers or ROV systems in a safe environment even under inclement weather and conditions. extreme conditions found on the high seas. Our new Submarine Relief Ship also has a saturated diving and bell depth diving system, with a capacity for up to 12 people. For aerial operations, the ship has a helipad in the bow, similar to that found in "Felinto Perry", however, with the capacity to operate with medium-sized rotating wings.

The vessel is powered by a diesel-electric system, which has four Wartsila BL26 diesel engines with 2,600Kw each, which feed two azimuthal electric motors of 2,050Kw each, having a propulsion system with double propellers at the stern and thruters systems in the bow, in addition to a retractable azimuth thruster system, capable of reaching 15 knots of maximum speed, sailing with 10 knots at cruising speed.

The incorporation of this important means is a milestone for the diving activity, contributing to the safety of operations with Submarine Actions. After the incorporation, the NSS “Guillobel” goes to the initial stage of operational training, with the objective of seeking its ready readiness.