Tugs to tow submarine to safety

TUGS last night connected towlines to the stricken Canadian submarine drifting for the past three days in waters off the west coast.

Rescuers began to tow the vessel, HMCS Chicoutimi, directly to Scotland last night after it sustained a fire and power loss on Tuesday.

Canadian sailor Lieutenant Chris Saunders, aged 32, a married father of two, died from smoke inhalation.

Canadian Ambassador to Ireland, Mark Moher, yesterday visited Sligo General Hospital where two other crew members are still being treated.

The vessel, due to treacherous conditions, had drifted into the Irish coastguard’s search and rescue zone.

Irish naval service Commander Gerard O’Flynn said yesterday that north-west gales, which had been rocking the vessel to and fro, had eased.

“It is expected that the sub will proceed directly to Scotland,” he said. A total of 54 crew are still aboard the vessel.

Cmdr O’Flynn said the sub yesterday recovered some of its power functions, hydraulic and electrical systems, but it did not have full propulsion.

The LÉ Aoife, providing communications and logistical support at the scene, was working in co-operation with the British and Canadian authorities.

Cmdr Andy Webb of the British Royal Navy’s HMS Montrose, which was also at the scene, said everything possible was being done to reach the remaining crew despite treacherous conditions.

“Our priority remains the safety of the crew. We are in constant dialogue with them and they are in great spirits,” he said. “There is no immediate risk but the situation is still serious.”

Weather permitting, the sub is expected to be towed into Faslane in Scotland by Sunday.

Meanwhile, one of the two remaining hospitalised sailors was transferred to intensive care yesterday. However, the hospital’s medical consultant Dr Joe McKenna said he was happy with the men’s progress. Both are conscious.

The sailors were among nine casualties who suffered smoke inhalation after a blaze broke out on the sub, 100 miles off the west coast.

The sub was on its way to Nova Scotia from a Royal Navy base on the Clyde after being sold by Britain.