View source for HSwMS Belos (A214)

{{More citations needed|date=January 2024}}{{Short description|Swedish submarine help ship}}
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|Ship image=HMS Belos (A214).jpg
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|Ship country=Sweden 7381
|Ship flag={{shipboxflag|Sweden|naval}}
|Ship name=''Belos''
|Ship namesake=
|Ship ordered=
|Ship builder=Shipyard De Hoop, [[Netherlands|Netherlands Dutch]]
|Ship laid down=
|Ship launched=1985
|Ship acquired=1992
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|Ship identification=*{{IMO Number|8308288}}
*{{MMSI Number|265402000}}
*[[Maritime call sign|Callsign]]: SELT
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|Ship notes=Previously ''Energy Supporter''
|Ship badge=[[File:HMS Belos vapen.svg|100px]]
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|Ship displacement=6150 tonnes<ref name="Försvarsmakten" />
|Ship length={{convert|104.9|m|ft}}<ref name="Försvarsmakten" />
|Ship beam={{convert|18.0|m|ft}}<ref name="Försvarsmakten" />
|Ship draught=
|Ship draft={{convert|5.1|m|ft}}<ref name="Försvarsmakten" />
|Ship propulsion=MAN 9ASL 25/30  Two [[Azimuth thruster]]s @ 1840 kw each
|Ship speed={{convert|13|kn}}<ref name="Försvarsmakten" />
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|Ship complement=*30 Officers
*10 Conscripts <ref name="Försvarsmakten" />
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|Ship notes=Five cranes with a lifting capacity of 5, 6, 10, 55 and 100 tonnes respectively
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'''HSwMS ''Belos'' (A214)''' is a submarine rescue ship in the [[Swedish Navy]]'s [[Swedish Navy - 1st Submarine Flotilla|1st Submarine flotilla]]. She carries the [[URF (Swedish Navy)|Submarine Rescue Vehicle]] ''URF''. She is also capable of carrying the NATO rescue system [[NATO Submarine Rescue System|NSRS]]. HSwMS ''Belos'' is currently (2017) the largest ship by displacement in the Swedish Navy.<ref name="Försvarsmakten">[http://www.forsvarsmakten.se/sv/information-och-fakta/materiel-och-teknik/sjo/belos-ubatsraddningsfartyg/ Swedish Armed Forces] {{in lang|sv}}</ref>
HMS ''Belos'' is traditionally the name of the Swedish Navy's submarine rescue vessel and she is the third ship with that name.
==History==
Originally built as a diving support vessel, ''Belos'' was launched in 1985 at the Dutch shipyard De Hoop<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070807024504/http://www.dehoop.net/ship.php?shipnumber=NB314 Shipyard De Hoop - ''NB314''] {{in lang|en}}</ref> operated in the international offshore business named "Energy Supporter". In 1992, she was purchased for the Royal Swedish Navy, was renamed ''Belos (III)'', and has since been redesigned into an advanced diving and [[Submarine Rescue Ship|submarine rescue ship]]. ''Belos'', with the submarine rescue vessel URF was the first submarine rescue system that could perform Transfer Under Pressure (TUP) from a disabled submarine, via the rescue vessel to a decompression chamber system for treatment to avoid [[decompression sickness]].

Normally, the ship does not anchor but hovers at the distressed submarine using her [[Azimuth thruster|Azimuth-]] and [[bow thruster]]s, and the [[Dynamic positioning|Dynamic Positioning (DP)]] system. Onboard ''Belos'', an extensive array of [[Remotely operated underwater vehicle|Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV’s)]], oceanographic equipment, craneage, diving-, medical-, and decompression facilities are accessible. Different sonar systems attached to the hull and towed astern of the ''Belos'' can be used for searching distressed submarines or other objects at the seabed. The Belos along with the Submarine Rescue Vessel (SRV) URF compose the backbone of the Swedish Submarine Escape and Rescue System.

''Belos'' can perform diving and underwater tasks using wet-bell and remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROVs). The ability to perform various types of underwater work is essential for submarine rescue operations. If the mating area to which the rescue vessel is to connect with the distressed submarine is covered by debris, fishing nets or other obstacles, these obstacles must be removed before mating the rescue vessel to the submarine. For smaller submarines or crewed submersibles, the rescue operation may be cutting free the vessel itself if it is snagged by e.g. nets or cables and unable to surface (see [[AS-28]]). The wet-bell is used for air-diving with two divers at a time to a maximum depth of {{convert|60|m|ft}}. The divers are equipped with hot-water suits, TV cameras, and constant communication with the diving supervisor on board the ''Belos''. A slide leads from the divers' exit point to the chamber to speed up the surface decompression process.

The underwater vehicles are all equipped with positioning systems, TV cameras, and sonar systems, allowing them to operate in conditions of poor visibility. The maximum diving depth is 1000 m and underwater work is performed by using hydraulic manipulators with a range of interchangeable tools.

The ''Belos'' has a large craneage capacity. For lifting, craneage with a capacity of 5, 6, 10 or 100 tons is available. In addition, an A-frame in the stern with a capacity of 55 tons is used for handling the submarine rescue vessel URF.

'''HSwMS Belos (III), recent improvements:'''

*Initially, the 100 ton crane was used for launching and recovering the URF, a method rather unreliable during rough weather, leading to the construction and installation of the 55 ton A-frame aft.
*The decompression chamber system was improved leading to a decompression capacity of 40 people at a time, including rescuees, medical personnel, and chamber attendants.  The system consists of three cylinders divided into 4 main chambers.
*Installation of TUP connection system (maximally pressurised to the equivalent of 50 msw) with direct access to the chamber system.
*Co-operation with the Royal Navy resulted in the UK submarine Rescue Vessel LR-5 being fully operational from HSwMS ''Belos'' including TUP capacity. This cooperation is now replaced with the NATO submarine Rescue System, [[NATO Submarine Rescue System|NSRS]] which is fully operational from HSMS Belos. In November 2017 the [[Royal Netherlands Navy]] joined the co-operation.
*Improvements of the Dynamic Positioning (DP) –system, a system that uses thrusters can hover in the sea at a fixed position.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Notes==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20071005022109/http://www.1ubflj.mil.se/article.php?id=1355 1st Submarine flotilla - ''Ubåtsräddningsfartyg''] {{in lang|sv}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070613064705/http://www.3sjostridsflj.mil.se/article.php?id=14181 Swedish Armed Forces - ''Ubåtsräddnignsfartyg''] {{in lang|sv}}

* Örlogsboken 2003 {{in lang|sv}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Belos}}
[[Category:Auxiliary ships of the Swedish Navy]]
[[Category:Naval ships of Sweden]]
[[Category:1985 ships]]
[[Category:Ships built in the Netherlands]]
[[Category:Submarine rescue ships]]