But it didn't take long for the Navy to realize there was a need for something that would prevent such a horrific loss from happening again. Thus was born the Deep Submergence Rescue Program and a pair of vehicles, Avalon and Mystic, that could dive thousands of feet below the ocean's surface and rescue stranded submariners like angels from above. Shane D. Swenson pauses as the small submarine slowly dives. It's a dangerous business. But that's what we train for.
Training is what they do best.
As one of the boat's few pilots, Jones knows as much about training as anyone on the team. They're a small crew, numbering less than 20, so they place an extreme value on the ability of every member to take on any responsibility. Becoming a pilot is the aspiration and privilege of every crew member, and some, like Jones, have spent years exploring every inch of the boat and performing every role possible to get a chance to sit in the pilot's chair. When safety's at a premium, that's the only way we can be sure we're diving safe. I want to see all of you checking and double checking each other's systems.