VICTORIA – After years of accidents and mechanical failures the Royal Canadian Navy expects to have a fully operational submarine fleet by 2013. HMCS Victoria is currently doing sea trials that include firing torpedo’s.
HMCS Chicoutemi and HMCS Windsor are being refitted and will be in the water by the end of next year while HMCS Cornerbrook is in extended maintenance until 2016.
The four Canadian subs were originally purchased from Britain in 1998 for $890 million, but estimates put repairs at close to the same price. The aging fleet has been difficult to maintain and marred by accidents.
HMCS Chicoutemi caught fire on it’s maiden voyage in 2004 and one sailor died, while HMCS Cornerbrook crashed into the seafloor during a training exercise off Vancouver Island in June on 2011.
The Captain during that exercise has since been re-assigned, and the Navy says the platform is an important part of Canada’s defense no matter what it takes to maintain. There is still no cost estimate for the incident that is being called a “fender bender” internally.
There were initial complaints the severity of the crash and damage were downplayed after public photo’s surfaced. But the Navy says no such attempt was made to cover up the gaff.
Canadian Submarine Force director Capt. Luc Cassivi says soon you will see subs coming and going from the harbour and think nothing of it, as the navy works to restore its pride.
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