VOLUME I Multinational Maritime Tactical Instructions and Procedures

MTP 1(D), Vol. I
(R)
d. Operations inherently dangerous to submerged submarines are frequently undertaken by civil
authorities. These operations require separate consideration by authorities with responsibility for
submarine safety.
e. Deleted by Change 1.
6774 NOT RELEASABLE
6780 PREVENTION OF MUTUAL INTERFERENCE BETWEEN SUBMERGED
SUBMARINES AND SURFACE SHIPS WITH TOWED ACOUSTIC DEVICES
STREAMED
a. Safety measures prescribed below shall be enforced to prevent mutual interference between
submerged submarines and surface ships with Variable Depth Sonar (VDS), Depressed Towed Array
System (DTAS), and Critical Angle Towed Array System (CATAS) devices streamed when operating in
nonexercise situations in peacetime. This coordination is required to enhance safety, surveillance
coverage, and avoid conflicts of interest, but is not intended to prejudice national prerogatives or inhibit
freedom of the seas.
NOTE
Towed torpedo decoys are excluded from these requirements
(1) Submarine commanding officers must assume that all ships which are operating sonar have
streamed a towed acoustic device unless positively known otherwise and that ships do not know the submarine’s
position. A submarine hearing sonar transmissions or other signals is to remain clear, keeping
in mind that the subject unit may be trailing an acoustic device up to 4,000 yards astern. A surface ship
with contact on a friendly submarine must keep his ship and towed array clear of the submarine.
6-112 CHANGE 2