No one at fault in submarine fire

A navy board of inquiry has found that no one was to blame for the series of events on board the HMCS Chicoutimi last fall which resulted in the death of Lieut. Chris Saunders of New Brunswick.

• FROM OCT. 7, 2004: Saint John family mourns loss of sailor

"This was a combination of human, technical and operational factors that led to a tragic death," said Admiral Bruce MacLean, commander of the Canadian navy, at a news conference in Halifax.

The board released its 700-page report midday Thursday.

It confirms CBC News reports a day earlier that the inquiry would find that Luc Pelletier, the Chicoutimi's captain, made rational and reasonable decisions the day the fire broke out. Pelletier will not be reprimanded for his actions.

Lieut. Saunders died after a fire broke out aboard the submarine on Oct. 5, 2004, during its voyage from Scotland to Canada.

• INDEPTH: Fire on HMCS Chicoutimi

At the root of the inquiry was the decision Pelletier made to leave both hatches on the submarine open because of a mechanical problem with their vents.

The board found that there was no way he could have predicted that a rogue wave would wash in, flooding the submarine with 2,000 litres of sea water and cause the events that led to the fire.

Water deluged the captain's bunk room, damaging electrical connections underneath the bunk and setting the conditions for a full short-circuit.

"Cmdr. Pelletier had compelling reasons for [leaving both hatches open]," said MacLean. "In the board's view, he maintained the integrity and safety of the submarine."

Saunders, 32, was closest to the lower-deck electrical space that was filled with a shower of sparks and flames. It was so intense, it burned through the metal deck, filling the cabins with smoke within seconds.

Saunders suffered internal burns and smoke inhalation injuries. He was airlifted to Scotland the following day along with two others.

"He was calm, stoic and brave," said MacLean. "Lieut. Saunders was an exceptional submariner."

The report says submarine experts have examined the incident and they say no one could have predicted the series of events leading to the short circuit and blow out.

The board makes several recommendations, such as putting upgraded electrical cables in the four Victoria-class submarines, leased by the Canadian navy in 1998 from the Royal Navy.

Other recommendations include placing more breathing masks in the submarines and in places that are easily accessible.

MacLean said repairs to HMCS Chicoutimi would cost $10-$15 million, "a reasonable expenditure."

He predicted the first of the upgraded submarines would be heading out to sea within two weeks. MacLean said it would be two to three years before the entire fleet would be at sea.