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| You are here: Home > Spotlight > Fire
on the HMCS Chicoutimi |
Fire on the HMCS Chicoutimi
Jay Makarenko
On October 5, 2004, of the west coast of Ireland, a devastating
fire onboard the HMCS Chicoutimi crippled the Canadian submarine.
Five days later, the submarine was towed back to Scotland. The
fire and resulting smoke, tragically, caused the death of Lt.
Chris Saunders; Saunders, however, was the sole member of the
crew on the Chicoutimi to succumb to the effects of serious smoke
inhalation.
The HMCS Chicoutimi (HMCS stands for “Her Majesty’s
Canadian Ship”) is one of four submarines acquired from
the British in 1998. The Navy has several difficulties already
with the submarines, including technical problems and delays
in delivery. This most recent incident has led to the creation
of a military Board of Inquiry, and resulted in renewed examination
of Canada’s submarine policy and the safety of the fleet.
This Spotlight piece provides background and context relating to
this issue, which promises to dominate policy debate for some
time to come.
Topics include:
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- This section includes a discussion about Canada’s
submarine policy, details about the 1998 purchase of the ‘Victoria-class’ submarine
and relevant facts, and a brief history of the problems
that have plagued these additions to the Navy’s
fleet.
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- This section includes an outline of events pertaining to
the disaster aboard the HMCS Chicoutimi.
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- This section provides background on the initial debate concerning
the purchase of the submarines. It also details questions
raised by opposition parties about Canada’s submarine
program in the aftermath of the disaster.
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- This section includes background information on the Board
of Inquiry investigating the crippling of the HMCS Chicoutimi,
including its purpose, composition, and mandate.
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- A list of relevant internal and external links
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