Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Fire that caused $400 million in damage to US Navy submarine started in vacuum cleaner, official says - @seacoastonline

June 06, 2012 5:07 PM

KITTERY, Maine — A fire that caused an estimated $400 million in damage to the USS Miami started in a vacuum cleaner, according to preliminary findings of the U.S. Navy.

The vacuum cleaner is “used to clean work sites at the end of shift, and stored in an unoccupied space,” according to a statement released Wednesday by the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard public affairs office.

Specific details as to the cause and subsequent damage are still being evaluated and will be released later as part of an ongoing investigation, said Public Affairs Officer Danna Eddy.
She said she had no further information as to exactly what part of the vacuum cleaner caught on fire or how the fire spread from there.

The fire broke out in USS Miami’s forward compartment on May 23. The Miami was at the shipyard for an overhaul, and was three months into the 20-month process at the time. The compartment contains living quarters and the command and control center. The fire lasted for more than six hours, and was fought by more than 100 area firefighters.

The Navy confirmed the estimated cost of repair is $400 million, plus another 10 percent for “secondary effects” — such as “disruption to other planned work across all public shipyard, and the potential need to contract work to the private sector.”

The Navy has also confirmed that if the sub is repaired instead of scrapped, the work will be done at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.

“This estimate will be refined as more data is gathered and testing completed,” according to the statement.

The Navy is conducting a Judge Advocate General Manual and Safety investigation “to address lessons learned and corrective action to preclude recurrence. These investigations are still ongoing and initial reports of their conclusions and recommendations are expected in the next two weeks,” according to the statement.

Navy engineers are conducting a “full technical assessment, including internal and external hull surveys and damage assessments to develop a detailed cost estimate to restore the forward end compartment.”

Last week the shipyard’s workers were authorized to return to work in the forward compartment to begin cleanup and help investigators, as well as to continue work in other areas throughout the ship.

According to the public affairs office, the first phase of the cleanup process is complete. This includes “dewatering” the ship and installing temporary services such as lighting and staging to the affected area.

The Navy is expected to award a contract to a cleaning service for the next phase of the work. The New Hampshire and Maine congressional delegations said they were encouraged by the update.

Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, said she for one wants to see the Miami repaired.

“Having received both an initial cost estimate for repairs, and promising results from preliminary testing, I am encouraged that the submarine can indeed be seaworthy again,” she said. “I absolutely remain optimistic that the tremendous Kittery-Portsmouth Naval Shipyard workers will be given the opportunity to make any and all necessary repairs to the USS Miami.”

Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H., said she is awaiting results of the Navy’s investigation.

“In the meantime,” she said, “let there be no doubt that Portsmouth Naval Shipyard remains our nation’s preeminent public shipyard for the maintenance of attack submarines.”

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree, D-Maine said the Navy has “done a great job inspecting the boat quickly and efficiently and I’m confident we will have more detailed information about what’s needed for repairs in the near future.”

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said she’d work to secure funding for repairs if the Navy opts for that course of action. “It is welcome news that the Navy appears committed to repairing the USS Miami at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, and returning it to the fleet pending completion and positive results of a full technical assessment,” she said.


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