Posted on 07/21/2024 6:33:29 AM PDT by MAGA2017
The sudden appearance of four crane barges where a submarine had been parked has prompted questions about the possibility of an accident.
Satellite imagery shows unusual activity last month, including the sudden appearance of four crane barges, at a shipyard in China that builds submarines and other naval vessels, which might potentially be a sign of an accident of some kind.
Tom Shugart, an adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) think tank and a retired U.S. Navy submarine warfare officer, was first to notice the goings-on at the Wuchang Shipyard. This yard, which is part of the state-owned China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), is situated along a stretch of the Yangtze River just outside the city of Wuhan. It was fully relocated from a site within Wuhan proper to its current location sometime between 2021 and 2022.
“An older image from 29 May shows nothing unusual – a presumably new-construction Yuan-class submarine (Type 039 variant) in the usual spot where newly-launched boats are fitted out,” Shugart wrote in a series of posts on X.
...“I acquired an [satellite] image [from Planet Labs] from June 13th. In the image, there appears to be what look like crane barges clustered around…something…near where the submarine was earlier,” Shugart continued. “Also, the floating pier where the submarine was moored appears to have been offset a bit.”
(Excerpt) Read more at twz.com ...
Yes, upon re-reexamining the photo, you are correct.
Still, the cranes must be attempting to lift something...
“The shadow of the othe cranes pint in a different direction...”
Wrong. They all are consistent.
It’s kind of weird that the Chicoms would put a submarine shipyard so far up a river, especially one that floods regularly.
Then: The shadow of the othe cranes pint in a different direction...
Now: Nope, all shadows point in one direction,
China has an aircraft carrier that was supposed to be a casino, perhaps they are refitting the sub to be a casino?
I stand, uh sit, corrected.
True, they must be there for a reason.
Could be a few reasons.
The Russians are sneaky. It’s unlikely but, for example, the sub could have been launched in a gap of satellite coverage and be out there somewhere.
And the hubbub is designed to make is think it sunk while under construction...
Flooding accident through an engineroom hatch or opened pipe. The US lost one nuclear sub that way while under construction too (USS Guietarro I believe, back at Mare Island Shipyard). The engineroom hatch is no more than 1-4 feet above the water, underwater pipes obviously already are able to flood continuously is opened or cut.
Hundreds of millions in damage and rework.
/sunkensub ping. 8<)
If the four different frame booms are at different elevation angles - a virtual guarantee during a lift operation, their shadows will be at different angles too.
I wonder if any sailors DID die during this accident? Do subs usually have robust means of escape in case of abandon ship needs?
IF it were sunk “at the pier” during a refit or a repair period, then: Yes, it is possible that somebody could be trapped by the flooding as the hatches went under. Not likely though, because there are fewer people onboard a sub in overhaul who cannot get out through what hatches remain available. The entire crew splits into separate watches onboard and in other shipyard buildings - because you can’t sleep and eat on board, so the odds of a full crew being onboard are near-zero.
But.
Rescuers could be trapped inside a tank or below equipment while they try to stop the water coming in. Individuals could fail to hear alarms or orders to leave, then be trapped. Be trapped below cables or pipes clogging exit routes that would otherwise work.
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