You've lost another submarine?
Posted on 08/30/2003 7:56:26 PM PDT by HAL9000
CORRECTION: Russian navy officials charged after sub sinks
SEVEROMORSK, Russia, and MOSCOW. Aug 30 (Interfax) - Navy officials were charged with violation of navigation rules after a Russian nuclear-powered submarine sank in the Barents Sea on Saturday as it was being towed to a scrapyard.
The charges were issued by Chief Military Prosecutor Alexander Savenkov.
"The chief military prosecutor named Capt. 2nd Class Sergei Zhemchuzhnov, deputy commander of the submarine division, as a person whose actions directly constitute a malfeasance in office," sources in the Chief Military Prosecutor's Office told Interfax.
"It is already obvious that the Northern Fleet command broke the law and didn't show enough resolution in carrying out rescue operations."
The K-159 sank three miles from Kildin island at a depth of 170 meters. Its two nuclear reactors were shut down during the sinking and the ammunition was unloaded.
The submarine was being carried on four pontoons to a plant in the town of Polyarny for disposal. The pontoons were torn off by a storm and the submarine sank.
The sub had 10 crew on board. One of them was rescued, and two others were found dead.
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