Feature 6 | SUBMARINES
Action on oxygen generators follows
deaths aboard HMS Tireless
In June, the UK Ministry of Defence has released the Board of Inquiry
(BOI) report into the deaths of two Royal Navy submariners, and the injury
of a third, following an explosion onboard HMS Tireless in March 2007.
he BOI concluded that the explosion emergency fi re fi ghting equipment and all
which caused the death of Leading members of the ship’s company complete
TOperator Mechanic Paul McCann rigorous training to enable them to deal
and Operator Mechanic Anthony Huntrod, with such circumstances. As a consequence,
was caused by a faulty self-contained oxygen and notwithstanding the seriousness of the
generator (SCOG) which was part of the incident, at no time was the submarine’s water
back-up generator and was lit during a tight integrity or buoyancy threatened.’
routine drill. Representing the Chief of Defence
However, the Board has not determined Materiel, Vice Admiral Trevor Soar of
precisely what caused the SCOG to explode. Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S),
Th e report identifi ed the most likely cause highlighted the main points of the report:
as signifi cant internal contamination of ‘I would like to explain how Defence HMS Tireless is seen here having surfaced
the canister with oil, possibly exacerbated Equipment and Support responded to the through the ice at the North Pole in
by cracking within the cannister. The tragic events on HMS Tireless, the Board March 2007
BOI concluded that the contamination of Inquiry, and to explain what further
could have occurred in storage on land or investigation I have underway. We must
onboard submarines, with the latter being do our utmost to reduce those risks and an entirely new design of SCOG which can
the most likely source. to prevent incidents such as the one that be used on a more routine basis. We aim to
Minister for the Armed Forces Bob occurred onboard HMS Tireless.’ get this into service next year.’
Ainsworth said: ‘What the BOI has ‘Since the HMS Tireless accident DE&S ‘Finally, the Royal Navy and DE&S are
made clear to me is that this incident was have worked closely with the BOI team taking forward the full list of recommendations
brought about by a number of failings that and the Royal Navy in actively progressing from the BOI. Of the 25 recommendations
were avoidable and for which the MOD a number of actions that arose from both that involve DE&S all are either complete or
is responsible. I would like to apologise the immediate aftermath of the accident, have a fi rm action plan in place.’
again, unreservedly, and in public, to the and as facts have emerged, from the BOI ‘Let me now turn to the DE&S
families of Anthony Huntrod and Paul comprehensive investigations.’ investigation. The publication of the BOI
McCann for those failings, and for any ‘First of all to address the immediate safety report raised a number of issues in relation
actions or omissions that contributed to issue, within days of the incident we issued to the logistic management of SCOGs.
this tragic incident.’ instructions not to use Self Contained Oxygen In conjunction with Babcock Marine in
Admiral Sir Jonathan Band, First Sea Lord Generators onboard any submarine with the Devonport we are conducting our own
and Chief of the Naval Staff said: ‘As you only exception being for emergency escape.’ detailed investigation into the acquisition,
know in March of last year, HMS Tireless ‘Secondly DE&S has, as the facts arose, manufacture, storage, submarine stowage
suff ered an explosion in her forward escape re-designed and manufactured an improved and logistic management of SCOGs which
compartment. Th e Commanding Offi cer SCOG with enhanced protection from will also include the management for their
and his ship’s company fought to extinguish hydro-carbon contamination, better labelling return and subsequent disposal.’
the fires caused by the explosion, deal and which are subject to an enhanced quality ‘The investigation, conducted by our
with the incident and then, manoeuvred control regime, these again will only be own subject matter experts, will determine
the submarine 2miles to where there was authorised for use in emergency situations.’ if any further issues need resolving,
a thin area of ice above and carefully and ‘Th e fi rst batch has already been delivered make recommendations for potential
safely brought the submarine to the surface to the submarine flotilla and I expect improvements and determine if there are
through the ice so that the noxious fumes the roll-out to be complete by the end of any grounds for further action. It is too soon
in the front half of the submarine could be the year.’ to say what the outcome will be but I am
ventilated out.’ ‘Th irdly, drawing on the full lessons learnt determined to ensure that DE&S addresses
‘While the explosion created fires and from the enquiry, including recent forensic every issue that has arisen as fully and quickly
smoke in the submarine, submarines carry results, we are working with NASA to develop as possible.’ WT
38 Warship Technology July/August 2008
WWTJul-Aug08_p32+34+35+36+37+38.indd Sec3:38TJul-Aug08_p32+34+35+36+37+38.indd Sec3:38 77/22/08 7:43:44 PM/22/08 7:43:44 PM
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