James Fisher Defence (JFD), is a global subsea operations and engineering company based in Renfrew near Glasgow, UK. With over 30 years of experience, JFD offers a range of proven products and services focused on the underwater domain; everything from special operations SDVs and commercial salvage work to maintenance and support services for the renewable energy market. However; JFD is perhaps best known for its world leading submarine rescue capabilities.
Swedish Submarine Rescue Vessel URF, launched from Mothership HMS Belos, during sea acceptance trials following complete refurbishment undertaken by JFD.
Providing navies worldwide with submarine rescue hardware, services and personnel, JFD offers its customers the complete capability; from design, manufacture and delivery to mobilisation, training, maintenance and operation of subsea rescue vehicles and ancillary equipment; as well as unrivalled knowledge and experience of the demanding subsea environment.
In August 2005, in response to a request from the Russian Government and commissioned on behalf of the UK MoD, the UKSRS Intervention ROV System operated by JFD successfully rescued the seven crew of the Russian submersible AS-28 Priz which had sunk off the coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula.
In 2008, following 25 years of unbroken service supporting and providing the UK Royal Navy with its submarine rescue capability, JFD formally acquired the rescue assets of the UKSRS. The LR5 Submarine Rescue Vehicle (SRV), SCORPIO 45 Intervention Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), and Transfer Under Pressure (TUP) systems constituted the foundation of the James Fisher Submarine Rescue Service (JFSRS).
The JFSRS now provides the service men and women of the Royal Australian Navy with a submarine rescue capability from JFD’s base in Henderson, Western Australia. This is also the location of JFD’s Submersible Pilot School, which provides classroom based training and hands-on subsea piloting experience under the watchful guidance of our highly skilled submarine pilots; the same pilots who operate and support our equipment around the world.
JFD Workshop foreground: Two DSAR-class Submarine Rescue Vehicles mid-build, background: LR5 submarine Rescue Vehicle and Scorpio Remotely Operated Vehicle undergoing routine maintenance
JFD has provided the submersible pilots and operations team for the NATO Submarine Rescue System (NSRS) on behalf of the UK, France and Norway since 2006.
In November 2008 JFD delivered the first in a new class of submarine rescue vehicle, the Deep Search and Rescue (DSAR) Class SRV, to the Republic of Korea Navy. Less than three months later, JFD delivered the second vehicle of this class to the Republic of Singapore Navy, having designed and built the two vessels in a record 22 months.
In 2009 JFD, in a 50:50 joint venture with Singapore Technologies, was awarded responsibility for the operation and maintenance of the Republic of Singapore Submarine Rescue System until at least 2029.
To date JFD has worked with 20 navies on five continents, most recently providing the Royal Swedish Navy with a complete refurbishment and system upgrade of their submarine rescue vehicle URF, ensuring a life time extension of the vehicle of at least another 12 years.
As a subsidiary of James Fisher & Sons plc, founded in 1847 and today one of the world’s largest marine services providers, JFD has a wealth of experience and expertise to draw upon in addition to our own.
Recent years have seen the scope of the products and services provided by JFD grow to encompass the special operations market, commercial salvage, bespoke containerisation and logistics solutions, deep sea exploration and research, and the offshore renewables market.
JFD provides solutions tailored to each customer’s unique situation and requirements, from small-scale study projects through to the multi-year provision of complete submarine rescue capabilities. Our tight knit team strives to deliver the highest quality technical and organisational expertise, whilst maintaining the enthusiastic and flexible ‘can-do’ attitude JFD has become renowned for.
James Fisher Defence
Gatehouse Office
Westway
Porterfield Road
Renfrew
PA4 8DJ
United Kingdom
t: +44 (0)141 886 1985
f: +44 (0)141 886 6263
e: enquiries@jfdefence.com
w: jfdefence.com