Sub recovery site

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The SSN-37-1A is a small covert Chinese submarine stranded just off the coast of Point Lookout (location), it has no inhabitants, and only 1 interior. It will be gone if you complete The Velvet Curtain quest.

Background

Covert Submarine SSN-37-1A is a Chinese spy submarine sent to patrol hostile waters surrounding Point Lookout. It sunk before the nuclear phase of the Great War, and it can be found at the Sub Recovery Site. As for remnants of equipment, all main systems seem to be broken due to flooding and years of inactivity. There is no working radio, navigation, or targeting parameters for on board equipment or weapons; However, there is a radio (or radio type piece) that is entirely rusted brown and dead. There is no on-board AI nor navigational software that is any longer accessible. Surprisingly, the electricity still works, and the presence of green goo on the back floor suggests that the sub was (fittingly) nuclear powered. It also apparently has small back up generators in the rear.

Externally there are no signs of torpedeo tube hatches and internally no torpedeo room, therefore it can only have been fitted with defensive electronical devices such as an EMP weapon. It is highly likely that given the nature of the vessel as a spy submarine, it was never designed to directly engage with enemy forces, merely to monitor them.

Its mission was as follows;

Classified Directives

Chinese Naval Command

Mission parameters:

Routine Patrol/Observation

Vessel SSN-37-1A is ordered to patrol hostile waters between:

+38 3' 36.00", -76 18' 36.00"

+37 49' 41.61", -76 0' 37.02"

+37 5' 60.00", -76 1' 12.00"

Variations from patrol are tolerated as required by evasive circumstances. Crew is under strict instructions not to engage enemy if detected. Self-destruct protocol must be initiated in event of imminent capture. Status updates are required at six hour intervals by one-way burst comm on orbital frequency #K17.18.v121.

It should be noted that this would have been an exceptionally dangerous assignment, as it would have taken the sub within 8 miles of the home port of the Atlantic fleet and the largest naval air field on the east coast.

Inhabitants

There are only two bunks in SSN-37-1A therefore this suggests that the the crew was between 2-4 servicemen. It is likely that the submarine only had a crew of 2.

It is known that there was one surviving Chinese submariner, John Doe (obviously not his real name), he was transferred to Turtledove Detention Camp after his capture. It is noted in his interrogation report that he was "demonstrating extraordinary fortitude for a relatively low-ranking grunt". The fate of the skipper is revealed in the same report "I'm sure this one would have gone the same way as his skipper if the cyanide capsule in his molar hadn't been a dud".

Layout

Exterior

Above is a small stranded boat and a Buoy. Below it is a medium sized sub with a hatch on top.

Interior

The submarine for its external size is extremely compact inside. There is only one accessible room, with just two beds available. The ladder leads straight into the roof and a pipe spraying water is also severed in another point but not leaking. There is a silver main frame at the front, and a generator leaking some kind of green goo. The sub has about a foot of irradiated water along the floor.

Notable loot

Stealth Boy

Related Quests

The Velvet Curtain

Notes

You will need to swim through irradiated water in order to access the sub, and there is constant radiation inside the vessel. It would be wise to use a Rad-X and, if you begin swimming from the pier, to stop on the buoy halfway.
The vessel is adjacent to another vessel that you can not enter. Under the adjacent vessel is a locked Safe and two First Aid Boxes.
To the north-west of site is a buoy, dive under it and find an Easy locked Gun Cabinet, 3 Metal Crates, a Very Easy locked Personal Footlocker and a First Aid Box.
To the east is another buoy with an Average locked Safe, a Locker, a First Aid Box, a Very Easy locked Ammunition Box and a Suitcase.
This location is unmarked on your Map even with the Explorer Perk until you are told to go there during The Velvet Curtain.

Appearances

The SSN-37-1A appears in the Fallout 3 add-on Point Lookout.

Behind the scenes

The designation SSN is used by the United States Navy to designate American Nuclear Powered Attack submarines and it is highly unlikely that the Chinese would use the same designation, especially on a reconnaissance sub.
The SSN-37-1A has a similar appearance to early model Los Angeles Class Attack Submarines.