Salvage mission on submarine continues
A stricken Canadian sub was today continuing its slow progress towards a naval base on the west coast of Scotland, four days after a fire left it paralysed in the mid-Atlantic.
The blaze on board HMCS Chicoutimi, 100 miles off the west coast of Ireland, claimed the life of one crewman and left two others in hospital.
But staff at Sligo General Hospital in the Irish Republic today confirmed the men, one of whom had been critical, should be released within the next few days.
The salvage vessel Anglian Price started towing the former Royal Navy sub on Thursday night.
Britain's Ministry of Defence said the US support vessel, Carolyn Chouest, has now taken over the delicate operation, which it said was “progressing satisfactorily”.
A British MoD spokesman was unable to confirm when the submarine and its 54 crew would arrive at HM Naval Base Clyde at Faslane.
The Chicoutimi is only travelling at a speed of three-and-a-half knots, around two to three miles per hour, and it is not expected to dock at the base until late on Sunday or the early hours of Monday.
Lieutenant Chris Saunders died from smoke inhalation after a blaze broke out board HMCS Chicoutimi, 140km off the west coast of Ireland.
Two of his colleagues remain in hospital in Sligo General Hospital.
A hospital spokeswoman said: “The patient in the coronary car unit (Petty Officer Denis Lafleur) has made good progress and is currently mobile and interacting with patients and staff.
“His discharge, while not confirmed is considered to be imminent.
“The patient in intensive care unit (Master Seaman Archibald MacMaster) is similarly making good progress and is no longer in a critical condition.
“Although he is also mobile and talking with staff and fellow patients he is however considered to be seriously ill but stable.”
It is hoped Mr MacMaster will be released within the next few days, the spokeswoman added.
Lt Saunders, a 32-year-old married father-of-two, died at the hospital on Wednesday night, after a Royal Navy Sea King airlifted the three injured sailors off the boat and was forced to make an emergency landing at the nearest hospital.
The bid to pull the Chicoutimi ashore was delayed by treacherous weather conditions.
The submarine left Faslane last Saturday and had been due to arrive at Halifax on Canada’s east coast on October 18.
The Victoria-class sub formerly named HMS Upholder, was sold to the Canadian Navy in 1998, but remained in British hands as BAE Systems prepared it for going back into service.
Around 400 naval and medical officers have been involved in the rescue operation since the alarm was raised shortly after 3pm on Tuesday.
The Royal Navy’s HMS Montrose was first on the scene on Thursday, followed by a second Royal Navy vessel, HMS Marlborough from Devonport in Plymouth, and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary’s Wave Knight, laden with food and fuel and carrying a medical team and helicopter.
The blaze has triggered serious questions about the state of the submarine when it was sold, along with three others, to Canada from Britain.
The non-nuclear vessel, powered by diesel electric motors and built in the early 90s, was part of a package of four nearly-new submarines, which cost £900 million to build, but were sold for about £244 million.
Just a week ago, it was suggested Canada might sue Britain over the purchase after they had been plagued by “serious malfunctions and corrosion”.
The row has led Canadian opposition parties to question the legitimacy of the sale and the Canadian navy has pledged to undertake a full investigation.
The MoD has insisted the submarine had passed safety standards.
