Other titles:VOIE LIBRE SUR L'ATLANTIQUE (French title) [Alternative Title]
DE OCEAAN, EEN LEVENSADER (Dutch title) [Alternative Title]
ATLANTIK OKYANUSU (Turkish title) [Alternative Title]
HAFID MIKLA (Icelandic title) [Alternative Title]
Summary: Classic NATO film reference on maritime defence. The Vital Ocean depicts the activities of Supreme Allied Command Atlantic (SACLANT) to protect the North Atlantic sea lanes with a stress in submarine warfare. Scientists at SACLANT ASW Research Centre (SACLANTCEN) and at the vessel Maria Paolina conduct research and provide scientific and technical advice in the field of anti-submarine warfare to SACLANT. The mutually beneficial collaboration between military forces and science is stressed throughout the film.
Description: Reel 1
Jules Verne’s “20,000 Leagues under the Sea” is quoted as introduction over footage of a submarine in Polar waters. Oceanographic research benefits from investment in defence: scientists in open waters, instances at oceanographic research ship, submarine footage. A Shackleton drops bombs. Operations at the headquarters of Supreme Allied Command Atlantic, SACLANT, in Norfolk (Virginia, US). Admiral Harold Page Smith, Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic. SACLANT’s operational area shown on map. US Atlantic fleet and the forces of other six nations: aircraft carrier with atomic sub and cruiser alongside from Norfolk dockyard. Canadian frigates from Nova Scotia. NATO Strike Force in formation. Several scenes from Navy aircraft carrier USS Enterprise: Air-sea rescue helicopter, aircraft catapult dispatcher. US missile cruiser. Striking Fleet’s atomic power is described: atomic submarine 616 Lafayette, Polaris missile is fired. SACLANT staff officers.
Reel 2
Canadian Argus aircraft and the French Breguet watch for the presence of submarines. Snorkel submarine technology improves that of the submarines in use during World War Two: snorkel submarine in operation. Trainees listen records to learn identify sonar sounds. Sonar operators. Grumman Trackers in flight: sonar dropping, oscillograph recording. Negative results of sonar operations make helicopters leave suspicious area and try elsewhere. Same actions are repeated with positive results this time. Aircrafts take off. Operations at the Maria Paolina, a NATO oceanographic research vessel with international staff: oceanographic instruments, civilian scientists, apparatus lowered into sea...Maria Paolina approaches La Spezia (Italy). Anti sub-marine research centre at La Spezia (aka SACLANT ASW Research Centre).
Reel 3
Regular operations at La Spezia research centre are shown and the collaborative international nature of the organisation stressed: examples of equipment in use, scientists draw plans, library, recording gear, computers and electronic indicators, map of the ocean. Scientists analyse data coming from the oscillograph. SACLANT subcommand EASTLANT headquarters is featured: international Staff around operations chart. New anti-submarine technology is shown and briefly demonstrated: Depth charges fired by Anti-Submarine vessel. Precise depth charging technology LIMBO. ASROC missile, HMS Nautilus, HMS Dreadnought (United Kingdom’s first nuclear-powered submarine), submarine-launched rocket SUBROCK. Science as a close allied of security in the ocean: images of cargo ships from different allied countries. Helicopter approaches USS Enterprise, Air to sea NATO Task Force, aircraft carriers Clemenceau and HMS Hermes. Final sequence shows staff from SACLANT, EASTLANT, officers from carriers and aircrafts, scientists…
Alternative Title:VOIE LIBRE SUR L'ATLANTIQUE (French title) [Alternative Title]
DE OCEAAN, EEN LEVENSADER (Dutch title) [Alternative Title]
ATLANTIK OKYANUSU (Turkish title) [Alternative Title]
HAFID MIKLA (Icelandic title) [Alternative Title]
Colour:Colour
Digitised:Yes
Object_Number:NAT 2045
Sound:Sound
Access Conditions:IWM NATO
Featured Period:
Production Date:1965
Production Country:
Production Details: Audio-Visuel France (Production company)
North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Production sponsor)
Baylis, Peter (Production individual)
Baylis, Peter (Production individual)
Palfray, Jack (Production individual)
Rohozinski, Jean de (Production individual)
Quayle, Anthony (Production individual)
