Posted on 05/18/2005 6:45:53 AM PDT by Levante
VICTORIA -- One of the four submarines Canada purchased from Britain has been returned to active service after being docked in the wake of the at-sea disaster on board HMCS Chicoutami that claimed one submariner's life.
HMCS Victoria, under the command of Lt.-Cmdr. Jamie Clarke, returned to sea on Tuesday.
"HMCS Victoria met all the requirements for a safe return to sea,'' said Vice-Admiral Bruce MacLean, commander of Canada's Navy.
"Having implemented all the immediate recommendations from the Chicoutimi board of inquiry, I am satisfied that all our crew and submarine verification work has proven Victoria ready and safe for operations.''
As recommended by the board of inquiry, the navy has carried out the necessary safety improvements and implemented changes to crew procedures and training.
Repairs to the sub's insulation were ordered in the wake of the fire on ill-fated HMCS Chicoutimi, which caught fire on its inaugural voyage from Scotland to Halifax on Oct. 5.
That incident claimed the life of Lieut. Chris Saunders, 32.
Victoria had seen active service for just over two months before it was pulled from service.
HMCS Windsor was also docked for inspection and repairs. It is expected that this Halifax-based submarine will soon return to sea as well.
HMCS Cornerbrook is also due for upgrades.
Defence Department documents described more than 50 mechanical problems with the submarine HMCS Victoria, including some that caused fire alarms to be set off throughout the sub and the "coughing and choking.''
The Victoria, based in British Columbia, is one of four submarines that the navy bought from Britain in 1998
Earlier this month, MacLean said he expected the entire fleet to be back at sea within two or three years.
Désirent ardemment de phase la marine Canuckistenne !
Canada has a military?
So they figured out a way to use the underwater oars without internal leakage?
Hi baseballusc:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1270814/posts
This link will take you to an earlier story (some months back) regarding an electrical fire aboard HMCS Chicotoumi, one of the Canadian subs,which killed one crew member. The boats were leased second-hand from the British.
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