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B.C. Sub Accident: Board Of Inquiry Blames Human Error

Corner Brook

First Posted: 12/16/11 08:23 PM ET Updated: 12/16/11 08:59 PM ET

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ESQUIMALT, B.C. - A board of inquiry says a navy submarine ran aground off the West Coast of Vancouver Island this past June because of human error.

The board also ruled that inadequate training and experience aboard HMCS Corner Brook were contributing factors in the accident.

Navy Capt. Luc Cassivi says the incident was avoidable, adding those aboard the submarine failed to account for the vessel's actual position.

The accident took place during a June 4 training exercise in Nootka Sound, which is north of Tofino, B.C. and west of Campbell River.

A navy news release says the submarine struck the southeastern wall of Zuciarte Channel because it was southeast of its intended position.

The navy says nobody was seriously hurt in the accident and the cost of the damage will be confirmed during the submarine's maintenance cycle.

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ESQUIMALT, B.C. - A board of inquiry says a navy submarine ran aground off the West Coast of Vancouver Island this past June because of human error.The board also ruled that inadequate training and ex...
ESQUIMALT, B.C. - A board of inquiry says a navy submarine ran aground off the West Coast of Vancouver Island this past June because of human error.The board also ruled that inadequate training and ex...
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
geminivoyager
12 Fans
01:05 PM on 12/17/2011
I read the headline and was fully prepared to find it had swerved to miss HMS Moose
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Leywood Luckyjack
21 Fans
11:24 AM on 12/17/2011
As I see it from a naval perspective being an ex-naval electrical rating, it was the Admiralty's fault for taking away our tots.
However I have been bridge 'talker' on several frigates that very nearly collided and the orders flying! If the sub was submerged then I'd be wondering about tide and current.I've only sailed past Nootka Sound not entered so am not familiar with the waters. That said, after many years of sea time I sympathize with the Skipper who gets to feel the wrath of god from his superiors.
Up spirits, hands to muster for afternoon watch.
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hculliton
Match bearings and shoot!
558 Fans
09:24 AM on 12/17/2011
I did 12 years as a MARS officer and much of my time was in costal BC waters. For what it's worth, the tides and topography in BC costal waters can be challenging when piloting a surface vessel (HMCS Kootenay, rest her soul) so even though he's completely at fault, according to maritime law, I have sympathy for the CO.
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Leywood Luckyjack
21 Fans
11:25 AM on 12/17/2011
Greetings fellow winger. Did you spend half your time underwater?
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
MsCanuck
Wife, Mother, New Democrat, Pro-Choice, Atheist
245 Fans
08:07 AM on 12/17/2011
Overlooking the naval dockyard in Halifax daily, one sees the navy ships hit the jetties on a regular basis, always repairing and painting the bumps.

But, in the early 80's HMCS ASSINIBOINE ran aground while leading STANAVFORLANT (the Standing Naval Force, Atlantic) out of her home harbour; Halifax, Nova Scotia. She ran up on a rock formation locally known as the "Hen and Chickens", just in front of Point Pleasant Park.

The favourite drink at bars in Halifax for a while after this incident was the Assiniboine on the Rocks!
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hculliton
Match bearings and shoot!
558 Fans
09:26 AM on 12/17/2011
That drink's still occasionally ordered in 'The Lower Deck' and in the Strathcona Gunroom!
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
gevan
Give bees a chance
1321 Fans
03:21 AM on 12/17/2011
Either the water was too shallow or the sub was too deep.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Richard Wilford
46 Fans
03:02 AM on 12/17/2011
Maybe they changed course in order to give Mackay a lift to a Canucks game!
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Transitteer
and another thing . . .
111 Fans
 
01:58 AM on 12/17/2011
First its concern over the quality and serviceabilty of these subs - now the crew is suspect?? Is our Navy in trouble? Old explorers in wind driven wooden boats sailed the world over. We can't handle Nootka Sound in a sub?? oh jeeezzzzzzz...................
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hculliton
Match bearings and shoot!
558 Fans
09:30 AM on 12/17/2011
Being a geek, I need to point out that submarine navigation is a tad bit more difficult than surface steaming do to it being in 3-D. Costal waters, having tides are even more difficult. If you've never navigated a costal sub-surface passage, you might want to refrain from comment.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Transitteer
and another thing . . .
111 Fans
 
01:08 PM on 12/17/2011
They are the Navy. I kinda expected they'd know how it worked. I'll refrain from refraining.
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Dorian M
22 Fans
10:13 PM on 12/16/2011
Maybe they were too busy having sex in the control room like on the M/V Queen of the North which sank in 2006 after striking Gil Island in the Inside Passage.
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hculliton
Match bearings and shoot!
558 Fans
09:33 AM on 12/17/2011
Rum, sodomy, & the lash! Arrrgh, Billy! Truly the 'Dolphin Breed'! Arrgh!
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CanadaStan
Cogito ergo spud, I think, therefore I yam
173 Fans
09:56 PM on 12/16/2011
Steering wheel is on the wrong side....
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hculliton
Match bearings and shoot!
558 Fans
09:37 AM on 12/17/2011
It's actually on the starboard side. Arrgh! (LOL)!
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CanadaStan
Cogito ergo spud, I think, therefore I yam
173 Fans
10:37 AM on 12/17/2011
Woman driver?
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