Security News (Aug 22) : Navy plans to lift submarine out of water Source: The Times of India, TNN, India | 22nd August 2013 timesofindia.indiatimes/india/Navy-plans-to-lift-submarine-out-of-water/articleshow/21966929.cms Indian Navy divers are taking stock of the INS Sindhurakshak wreck before lifting it to dry dock. Experts hope to retrieve equipment fitted in the submarine that may throw light into the reasons for the mishap. Eighteen sailors are feared to have died in the explosion that took place early on August 13. Till Wednesday, divers have found only seven bodies. The navy will lift the submarine by blowing a balloon from beneath. "A crane may be used to lift it out of the water," said a source. "Efforts have been made to de-water the compartments using high-capacity pumps. But there has been no discernible change in the water level inside the submarine, indicating likelihood of ingress of water through openings due to structural damage," said defence minister A K Anthony in a suo moto statement issued in Rajya Sabha on Monday, on incident of major fire onboard INS Sindhurakshak. "Efforts have been made to identify possible areas of water ingress by inserting high pressure air. Globally renowned Professional salvage agencies have been approached and they are undertaking the survey for salvage operations. There is also an offer of help from Russia, where the refit and upgrade had been undertaken." Preliminary probe indicate the explosion was due to ignition of armament. "The cause of ignition is yet to be established. Visual and forensic examination will throw more light into cause of ignition, but it will be possible after the sub is afloat and dewatered A board of inquiry with all relevant specialists has been formed to investigate the accident at the earliest,"said defence minister A K Anthony in a suo moto statement on Monday. The defence minister has also ordered extensive checks on weapon-related safety systems and audit of standard operating procedures on all operational submarines of the Indian Navy. Till Monday from the day of incident, divers entered five compartments of the sub and removed seven bodies. "From day one there was little chances of survival. At the time of incident 18 personnel -- 3 officers and 15 sailors -- were in the sub getting ready to sail on a secret mission. The divers are yet to open the sixth compartment which is engine room. The compartment is usually very hot and noisy and nobody stays there while the sub is in harbour," said the source. Meanwhile the families members of the personnel are still in the city. They are awaiting the DNA report, expected in a week, to identify the bodies belongs to whom.
Posted on: Thu, 22 Aug 2013 05:32:38 +0000
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