Extension Granted for HMCS Chicoutimi Board of Inquiry

Department of National Defence (Canada) | November 26, 2004

[Clive]

News Release

Extension Granted for HMCS Chicoutimi Board of Inquiry

MSPA NR 08.04 - November 26, 2004

OTTAWA -- The Board of Inquiry (BOI) that is investigating the October 5 fire in HMCS Chicoutimi has been granted an extension to Wednesday, December 22, by the convening authority, Vice-Admiral Bruce MacLean, the commander of Canada's Navy.

The Board of Inquiry had an original mandate to complete its investigation by November 30. The extension comes in response to a request from the BOI President, Commodore Dan Murphy, for additional time to gather technical data, interview witnesses, research and prepare the final report.

"Given the complexity of the investigation I think it is important that the Board of Inquiry have additional time to complete its thorough and detailed examination of the Chicoutimi accident," said Vice-Admiral Bruce MacLean. "A great deal of effort has gone into this investigation and I am confident of the Board's thoroughness."

The Board of Inquiry can request an extension as outlined in the terms of reference assigned to it by the convening authority.

The Chicoutimi Board of Inquiry was originally ordered on October 8 and convened in Faslane, Scotland on October 11.

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[Clive]

I omitted the link. Here it is:

Extension Granted for HMCS Chicoutimi Board of Inquiry

[shrinkermd]

Let's see, their helicopters don't fly and their submarines catch fire. But the Canadians and a few of their elected officials spend countless hours making ad hominem attacks on our President, our military and even our desire not import mad cow disease. Oh yes, and they are going to build a memorial to US Viet Nam deserters.

Seems like the Canadians need to begin thinking about their own problems rather than ours.

[BykrBayb]

As if anyone's interested in my report: It's a miracle anyone on HMCS Chicoutimi survived. They were destined to go to a fiery death, due to gross incompetence, at the very least. The sub was a death trap. To label this an accident would be to cover up the truth. Heads should roll.

[Mad Mammoth]

Prediction:

When this alleged 'inquiry' is complete, the following conclusions will be reached:

1.) The fire was caused by a tragic combination of system malfunction and limited familiarity with the submarine by the crew, making their first operational voyage bound for Canada.

2.) The slashing of 54 million from the budget earmarked for funds for assuring the safety of the Chicoutimi and her sister subs by then-Finance Minister Paul Martin was in no way related to the fire that broke out.

3.) Canada will officially extend it's deep regrets to the family of the late Lieutenant Chris Saunders, who died of smoke inhalation after fighting the fire, and some sort of appropriate proclamation in his honor will be made at a future date.

4.) Canadian Forces will not place the Victoria class submarines into service until all boats have been reinspected, tested, and certified as operationally safe, with projections of early to mid-2006 for the completion of such reinspections.

5.) It will be implied, but not specifically stated that the British were less than forthcoming about the condition of the submarines, and that their "negligence" was a latent factor among the causes of the Chicoutimi fire.

And then it will be back to business as usual, with the Liberals in Ottawa giving short shrift and nothing but lip service to what was once a proud military organization, now reduced to flying 40+ year old helicopters, sailing in used submarines of questionable seaworthiness, flying reduced numbers of American-built F-18s (oops, make that "CF-18s") as more and more of the planes are cannibalized for parts to keep a remnant flying, and becoming a shadow of it's former self, all so that money can be spent instead on the continuing failed experiment in Canadian socialism.

But the Liberals will babble on as always about their continuing "committment" to the CF.

While the public pukes in disgust.

[dk/coro]

Mad Mammoth, you summed it up cogently.

I can well remember our close Naval linkage with both the Brits and Canadians in decades past.

In the mid 50's, upon reporting to my first carrier squadron at NAS Norfolk, my mentor was a Canadian exchange officer, home based at Portsmouth (Halifax).

We acquired a substantial amount of expertise and cutting edge technology from both countries; and it saddens me greatly to see the disrepute to which the Canadian Forces have succumbed.

[Mad Mammoth]

I'm sure you remember the HMCS Bonaventure then? Picture was taken late 50's or early 60's when Bonaventure (middle carrier) was on exercises with USS Essex (CV 9). Great days indeed to be in the Canadian Navy.