ISO 5411:2024

Ships and marine technology - Submersibles - Vocabulary

This document provides basic terminology and concepts related to submersibles. It covers 11 aspects of terminology related to submersibles: types, performance, structural system, mechanical system, electrical system, acoustic system, control system, surface system, work pattern, test and maintenance and personnel. It is not applicable to particular conditions, such as the classification and construction of submersibles.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 28-Mar-2024
• ICS: 01.040.47 - Shipbuilding and marine structures (Vocabularies)
• ICS: 47.020.01 - General standards related to shipbuilding and marine structures
• Technical Committee: ISO/TC 8/SC 13 - Marine technology
• Drafting Committee: ISO/TC 8/SC 13 - Marine technology
• Current Stage: 6060 - International Standard published
• Start Date: 29-Mar-2024
• Due Date: 13-Jan-2024
• Completion Date: 29-Mar-2024

Overview

ISO 5411:2024 - Ships and marine technology - Submersibles - Vocabulary establishes a common set of terms and definitions for submersibles. Rather than prescribing design or construction rules, this International Standard provides standardized terminology across the lifecycle of submersibles to improve clarity in documentation, communication, testing, training and international collaboration.

The document covers 11 aspects of submersible terminology: types, performance, structural system, mechanical system, electrical system, acoustic system, control system, surface system, work mode, test and maintenance, and personnel.

Key topics and technical content

ISO 5411:2024 is a vocabulary standard. Key technical topics and the kinds of terms defined include:

• Types of submersibles: e.g., submersible, manned submersible, tethered and untethered submersibles, transport submersible, passenger submersible, deep submergence rescue vehicle (DSRV/SRV), lock-out submersible, atmospheric diving suit (ADS), dry diving bell, seabed laboratory.
• Performance and operational terms: life expectancy, design mission time, working time, bottom time, operating depth/pressure, design depth/pressure, collapse depth/pressure, test depth/test pressure (expressed in MPa).
• Structural system vocabulary: pressure-resistant structure, pressure hull, manned compartment, viewport/window, buoyancy material, framework, bottom-sitting plate, lift point, lashing point, penetrator, seal.
• Life support and environmental systems: life support system, breathing air supply system, carbon dioxide removal.
• Support, launch and recovery: launch and recovery system, surface system, umbilical/tether terminology.
• Maintenance, testing and personnel: tightness test, hydrostatic pressure test, maintenance-related terms, and definitions for pilot, crew and divers.

Where appropriate the standard references related definitions from other documents (for example ISO 21173, ISO 22252, IMO circulars and ASME PVHO guidance used as source material).

Applications and practical value

ISO 5411:2024 is useful when stakeholders need a consistent vocabulary to reduce ambiguity and improve safety, quality and interoperability. Typical practical uses:

• Harmonizing terminology in design and procurement documents, specifications and contracts
• Standardizing operational procedures, training curricula and simulation systems
• Clarifying test, inspection and maintenance reports (e.g., hydrostatic tests, tightness tests)
• Supporting regulatory, classification and certification documentation by providing clear term definitions (note: the standard itself is not a classification or construction standard)
• Enabling international trade, R&D collaboration and technical publications by reducing misunderstandings

Who should use it

• Submersible designers and manufacturers
• Operators and fleet managers (manned and unmanned platforms)
• Test labs, maintenance teams and inspection bodies
• Regulators, classification societies and maritime authorities
• Training organizations and technical authors
• Researchers and system integrators in marine technology

Related standards

Relevant references and sources cited within ISO 5411:2024 include IMO MSC circulars, ISO 21173, ISO 22252 and ASME PVHO-1. ISO and IEC terminology databases (ISO OBP and IEC Electropedia) are also noted for broader standardization work.

Keywords: ISO 5411:2024, submersibles vocabulary, submersible terminology, ships and marine technology, pressure hull, life support system, design depth, test pressure.

Standards Content (Sample)

International
Standard
ISO 5411
First edition
Ships and marine technology —
2024-03
Submersibles — Vocabulary
Reference number
© ISO 2024
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on
the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below
or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
3.1 Types .1
3.2 Performance .2
3.3 Structural system .4
3.4 Mechanical system .6
3.5 Electrical system .7
3.6 Acoustic system .9
3.7 Control system .10
3.8 Surface system .11
3.9 Work mode . 12
3.10 Test and maintenance . 13
3.11 Personnel .14
Bibliography .16
Index . 17

iii
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through
ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee
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with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described
in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types
of ISO document should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the
ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
ISO draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a)
patent(s). ISO takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent
rights in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, ISO had not received notice of (a)
patent(s) which may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are cautioned that
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related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the World Trade
Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 8, Ships and marine technology, Subcommittee
SC 13, Marine technology.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.

iv
Introduction
Many countries have the technology and ability to design, construct and operate submersibles, together
with the industrial capability and resources to support safe and effective submersible operations. To
enable greater international understanding and collaboration between participating regions, operators and
manufacturers, it is advantageous to use a common set of terms and concept definitions. This will result
in several benefits including facilitating comparison of products, contributing to innovation, reducing
misunderstanding, improving efficiency and enabling international trade. In essence, standardized
terminology is fundamental to a series of standardization activities of submersibles.

v
International Standard ISO 5411:2024(en)
Ships and marine technology — Submersibles — Vocabulary
1 Scope
This document provides basic terminology and concepts related to submersibles. It covers 11 aspects of
terminology related to submersibles: types, performance, structural system, mechanical system, electrical
system, acoustic system, control system, surface system, work pattern, test and maintenance and personnel.
It is not applicable to particular conditions, such as the classification and construction of submersibles.
2 Normative references
There are no normative references in this document.
3 Terms and definitions
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https:// www .electropedia .org/
3.1 Types
3.1.1
submersible
type of powered vessel that can travel and manoeuvre underwater
3.1.2
manned submersible
submersible (3.1.1) that encloses one or more persons within its pressure hull (3.3.2), fitted with one or more
available surface accesses, or underwater pressurized or non-pressurized accesses
3.1.3
tethered submersible
submersible (3.1.1) with an umbilical (3.8.1) or tether (3.8.2) attached to the surface, support ship (3.8.4) or
underwater structure
3.1.4
untethered submersible
submersible (3.1.1) without an umbilical (3.8.1) or tether (3.8.2)
3.1.5
transport submersible
manned submersible (3.1.2), designed for the movement of cargo, equipment or passengers (3.11.3) in addition
to crew (3.11.2) underwater, for recreation, scientific expedition, rescue or other purposes
3.1.6
passenger submersible
passenger-carrying mobile vessel, which primarily operates under water and relies on surface support
[SOURCE: IMO MSC/Circ. 981, 1.2.12]

3.1.7
deep submergence rescue vehicle
DSRV
submarine rescue vehicle
SRV
manned submersible (3.1.2) and untethered submersible (3.1.4), specifically designed to evacuate persons
from a disabled or distressed submarine using an underwater mating interface to create one or more dry
personnel transfer structures under normobaric or hyperbaric conditions
3.1.8
lock-out submersible
manned submersible (3.1.2) and untethered submersible (3.1.4), equipped with a lock-in or lock-out chamber
and access hatch for entry, egress and accommodation of a diver or divers (3.11.4) with an adjustable
operating pressure (3.2.8) capability
3.1.9
towed submersible
tethered submersible (3.1.3) towed by a power-driven vessel with depth and attitude adjustment ability
3.1.10
atmospheric diving suit
ADS
anthropomorphic and single-person tethered submersible (3.1.3) with manually operated articulated arms
and/or legs, which can perform related underwater tasks, withstanding external pressure and maintaining
internal pressure at or near one atmosphere
3.1.11
dry diving bell
manned submersible (3.1.2) and tethered submersible (3.1.3), equipped with a hemispherical frame and
specialized apparatus for transferring persons between the underwater site and deck or the deck compression
chamber (3.8.6) of a support ship (3.8.4) for operation, rescue or other purposes
3.1.12
saturation diving system
complex of functionally integrated technical means, devices and facilities in which a diver (3.11.4) is exposed
to hyperbaric pressure for a period until the diver's blood and tissues have absorbed all the gas
Note 1 to entry: The time required for decompression becomes constant at this hyperbaric pressure after the diver's
blood and tissues have absorbed all of the gas.
3.1.13
seabed laboratory
submersible (3.1.1) designed to conduct a field inspection and support a long-term underwater habitat for
persons or other creatures for an in-situ test
3.2 Performance
3.2.1
life expectancy
designed number of dives that a submersible (3.1.1) can complete safely before requiring an appropriate
technical engineering review of its structural integrity to ensure it can again be safely operated underwater
3.2.2
design mission time
time period for a submersible (3.1.1) from launch to recovery, when the designed mission is performed under
operating conditions defined by the manufacturer
3.2.3
working time
time period which consists of design mission time (3.2.2), excluding the processing time of the launch and
recovery system (3.8.5) and the related surfacing and submerging

3.2.4
bottom time
time during which a submersible (3.1.1) is permitted to sit on seabed
3.2.5
light weight
air mass of a complete submersible (3.1.1) including all its permanently installed components, liquids and
gas in machinery and piping (3.4.16) to their working levels as defined by the manufacturer, but excluding
consumables, payload (3.2.6), persons and effect
3.2.6
payload
passengers (3.11.3) from the transport submersible (3.1.5), rescued persons from the deep submergence
rescue vehicle (3.1.7) or other items carried by a submersible (3.1.1) in addition to the crew (3.11.2), pilot
(3.11.1) and permanently fitted equipment, performing the specific mission
3.2.7
operating depth
depth in metres of water (seawater or fresh water) for which a submersible (3.1.1) normally operates
3.2.8
operating pressure
pressure which a submersible (3.1.1) withstands to operate normally
Note 1 to entry: It is expressed in megapascals (MPa).
3.2.9
design depth
maximum operating depth (3.2.7) to which a submersible (3.1.1) is designed to dive safely, as measured from
the surface to its keel
3.2.10
design pressure
maximum pressure which a submersible (3.1.1) can withstand to dive safely
Note 1 to entry: It is expressed in megapascals (MPa).
3.2.11
collapse depth
depth at which a submersible’s pressure-resistant structure (3.3.1) is predicted to fail, causing the pressure
hull (3.3.2) to collapse
3.2.12
collapse pressure
external pressure which is liable to causing the pressure-resistant structure (3.3.1) to collapse
3.2.13
test depth
pre-determined depth used to enable safe pressure testing of the submersible (3.1.1) during manufacture
and through life certification of the vessel
3.2.14
test pressure
pressure withstood by the pressure-resistant structure (3.3.1) of a submersible (3.1.1) during tests such as the
tightness test (3.10.13) or the hydrostatic pressure test (3.10.14)

3.2.15
life support system
equipment and systems required to maintain a manned submersible (3.1.2) in a habitable condition in all
anticipated operating conditions
[SOURCE: IMO MSC/Circ. 981, 1.2.6, modified — "the passenger submersible craft" has been replaced by "a
manned submersible" in the definition.]
3.2.16
breathing air supply system
equipment providing breathing air to the manned compartment(s) (3.3.3) while a manned submersible (3.1.2)
is surfaced or submerged
[SOURCE: ISO 22252:2020, 3.7, modified — ”the submersible” has been replaced by ”a manned submersible”
in the definition.]
3.2.17
carbon dioxide removal
apparatus removing carbon dioxide from the pressure hull for persons within a manned submersible (3.1.2)
during its underwater operation and observation
3.2.18
diving and operation training simulation system
system that can simulate the physical appearance, internal structure, underwater view, operation procedure
and fault response of a submersible (3.1.1), with a view to reducing training cost, improving training
efficiency and ensuring training safety
3.3 Structural system
3.3.1
pressure-resistant structure
material structure capable of withstanding external pressure from the water column in which a submersible
(3.1.1) is designed to operate, or internal pressure from the pressure hull (3.3.2)
Note 1 to entry: A pressure-resistant structure includes the lock-in or lock-out chamber, viewport (3.3.4), buoyancy
material (3.3.7) and other relevant equipment.
3.3.2
pressure hull
shell capable of withstanding the internal and external design pressure (3.2.10), in which occupants and the
required equipment are housed
[SOURCE: ISO 21173:2019, 3.7, modified — "external pressure" has been replaced by "external design
pressure" in the definition.]
3.3.3
manned compartment
compartment within the pressure hull (3.3.2) designed to accommodate persons inside a manned
submersible (3.1.2)
3.3.4
viewport
penetration (3.3.15) in a manned submersible (3.1.2) including window (3.3.5), flange, retaining ring, and seal
(3.3.16)
[SOURCE: IMO MSC/Circ. 981, 1.2.18, modified — "the pressure boundary" has been replaced by "a manned
submersible" in the definition.]

3.3.5
window
material which is a transparent, impermeable, and pressure-resistant insert in the viewport (3.3.4)
Note 1 to entry: There are several shapes of window, such as hemi-spherical window, full-scale window, model-scale
window, flat window and conical window.
[SOURCE: ASME PVHO-1–2019, Appendix II]
3.3.6
medical lock
small pressure-tight chamber for transferring small items such as medicine, tools and food across the
pressure hull (3.3.2) within a manned submersible (3.1.2)
3.3.7
buoyancy material
pressure-resistant material for a submersible (3.1.1), whose density is lower than that of the operating
ambient medium
3.3.8
framework
space frame structure for installing instruments and devices for a submersible (3.1.1), such as battery
enclosure (3.5.4), releasable ballast device (3.4.5) and buoyancy material (3.3.7), which is also the main load-
carrying structure for the launch and recovery system (3.8.5) and deck lashing (3.3.20)
3.3.9
light external shell
external shell which forms a hydrodynamic shape for a submersible (3.1.1) and prevents its internal
instruments and devices from surface wind and wave shock
3.3.10
guy eye
perforated metal piece located on a submersible (3.1.1) for the attachment of guy tackle
3.3.11
lashing point
point of strength, located on a submersible (3.1.1) for deck lashing (3.3.20)
3.3.12
lift point
point of strength, located on a submersible (3.1.1) for lifting during its launch and recovery process
3.3.13
bottom-sitting plate
part of a submersible's (3.1.1) structure designed to enable it to safely rest or sit on the seabed or platform
3.3.14
adhesively attached part
adhesively attached fitting
part or fitting which is bonded inside a buoyancy block by a specially formulated adhesive to facilitate
assembly and disassembly of buoyancy material (3.3.7)
3.3.15
penetrator
pressure-tight penetrating structure, pipework or fitting which allows equipment, cabling and gas, air or
hydraulic supplies to be inserted into the pressure-resistant structure (3.3.1) within a submersible (3.1.1)
3.3.16
seal
material or part that prevents fluid or gas leakage and ambient seawater from entering a submersible (3.1.1)

3.3.17
environmental load
expected load on a submersible (3.1.1) owing to ambient conditions such as wind speed, wind direction, wave
height, current speed and water depth
3.3.18
design load
maximum expected load on a submersible (3.1.1) which consists of its own weight, associated dynamic
effects and environmental load (3.3.17)
3.3.19
deformation compatibility
criteria that ensures structural elements of a submersible (3.1.1), of different shapes and material, remain
within proportional fractions of their structural strength
3.3.20
deck lashing
phenomenon that fastens a submersible (3.1.1) to the deck of a support ship (3.8.4) for transportation security
3.4 Mechanical system
3.4.1
hydraulic powerpack
apparatus that takes the fluid as a working medium, utilises pressure energy of the fluid and drives hydraulic
actuators through controlling valves and other components
3.4.2
valve pack
box with modularized integration of hydraulic control valve components for controlling pressure, flow rate
and flow direction within pipes
3.4.3
buoyancy regulating device
device that controls the buoyancy of a submersible (3.1.1), which is required for operations at any operating
depth (3.2.7)
Note 1 to entry: This device includes a variable ballast device (3.4.4), releasable ballast device (3.4.5), and associated pipes.
3.4.4
variable ballast device
device capable of ballasting or de-ballasting water (seawater or fresh water), compensating for all loading
conditions of a submersible (3.1.1)
3.4.5
releasable ballast device
device capable of decreasing the total mass of a submersible (3.1.1), which is used for buoyancy ascent or
termination of descent
3.4.6
emergency release device
releasable device capable of quickly decreasing the total mass of a submersible (3.1.1), which is used for fast
buoyancy ascent in emergencies
3.4.7
emergency buoy
buoy released to the surface in an emergency to aid a support ship (3.8.4) in locating a submersible (3.1.1)
3.4.8
explosive bolt
bolt which disengages or breaks from a designated part on account of its internal explosive burning or
explosion to be unlocked or disconnected

3.4.9
trim control system
system which enables the trim of a submersible (3.1.1) to be adjusted during diving operations to optimise
the configuration of a vessel in the operating environment
3.4.10
hydraulic compensator
device fitted to a hydraulic system to prevent ingress of water by compensating the system’s pressure to
maintain it above ambient water pressure
3.4.11
manipulator
remotely operated work arm which is equipped on a submersible (3.1.1)
3.4.12
manipulator-held tooling
tool which is not capable of independently carrying out work and is fully dependent on a manipulator (3.4.11)
EXAMPLE Cleaning brush, torque tool, cable cutter, rotary cutter and core sampling tool.
3.4.13
portable tooling
tool which is independent of a manipulator (3.4.11) and is designed to be remotely control or pre-programmed
without human intervention
EXAMPLE Water sampler and in situ culture tool.
3.4.14
modular tooling unit
unit integrating one or several tools, which is installed on a submersible (3.1.1) when required for use, and is
fully dependent on manual control
EXAMPLE Tube gripper and cable gripper.
3.4.15
sampling basket
platform which stores a site sample or modular tooling unit (3.4.14) during working time (3.2.3)
3.4.16
piping
device which is an assembly of pipes, pipe straps and associated components providing technical support for
realization functions of other apparatuses of a submersible (3.1.1)
3.5 Electrical system
3.5.1
battery cell
basic unit for the interconversion of chemical and electrical energy, usually consisting of electrodes,
diaphragm, electrolyte, housing and terminals, and which is designed to be rechargeable
3.5.2
battery module
combination of more than one secondary cell (3.5.1), by series connection, parallel connection or series-
parallel connection and used as a power supply
3.5.3
battery management system
BMS
system that monitors the status of the battery (e.g. temperature, voltage, state of charge) and can provide
communication, safety, secondary cell (3.5.1) balan
...