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HMCS Chicoutimi - News Room

Latest Update
as of 18h00 12 October 2004

Vice-Admiral Bruce MacLean, Chief of Maritime Staff and Commander of Canada's Navy announced on 12 October 04, that a military Board of Inquiry will be convened to investigate the fire that took place onboard HMCS CHICOUTIMI and the death of Lieutenant (Navy) Chris Saunders. Commodore Dan Murphy will be head of the Board of Inquiry.

Canada's Navy announced today that HMCS CHICOUTIMI's sister submarines will be tied up until further notice. A technical briefing will be provided on Thursday, 14 October at National Defence Headquarters, Conference Room D, at 3:00 p.m. to explain the Navy's Sub Safe organization.

The crew of HMCS CHICOUTIMI is resting in Glasgow, Scotland, and is undergoing psychological counseling and medical screening. The crew will be holding a memorial service for Lieutenant (Navy) Saunders on Wednesday 13 October 04, in Glasgow, Scotland.

The military funeral for Lieutenant (Navy) Chris Saunders is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, 13 October 04, in Halifax at 11:00 a.m. (Atlantic). Details will be announced when available.

Casualties

Petty Officer 2nd  class Denis Lafleur, 41, and and Master Seaman Archibald MacMaster, 41, both remain in Sligo Hospital in Ireland. Their conditions are stable condition and continue to improve.

as of 13h00 11 October 2004

Defence Minister Bill Graham and the Commanding Officer of HMCS CHICOUTIMI, Commander Luc Pelletier, spoke with media in Faslane, Scotland, this morning, 11 Oct 04.

The Minister of National Defence thanked Canada's allies for the extraordinary effort made to help the crew of HMCS CHICOUTIMI.

Minister Graham emphasized that the Navy will be conducting an inquiry into the HMCS CHICOUTIMI incident and the details of this inquiry will be announced when the Navy is ready.

Commander Luc Pelletier thanked all those people who helped his crew. He thanked friends, family and the Halifax Military Family Resource Centre for their support. He also thanked all the Canadian and allied naval units and staffs who worked hard to assist HMCS CHICOUTIMI.

The crew of HMCS CHICOUTIMI are resting in Glasgow, Scotland, are undergoing psychological counseling and medical screening.

The military funeral for Lieutenant (Navy) Chris Saunders is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, 13 October 04, in Halifax. Details will be announced when available.

Casualties

Petty Officer 2nd  class Denis Lafleur, 41, and and Master Seaman Archibald MacMaster, 41, both remain in stable condition and continue to improve.

as of 18h00 10 October 2004

HMCS CHICOUTIMI arrived in Faslane, Scotland on 10 October 04. The crew is being accommodated ashore while they rest and undergo medical screening and counselling before returning to Canada.

The Canadian Navy has expressed its appreciation today for the outstanding international effort made in the successful recovery of HMCS CHICOUTIMI.

The Canadian Navy frigate HMCS ST JOHN'S is also in Faslane, to provide support to the submariners.

HMCS WINDSOR is providing qualified submariners to help maintain the technical systems on board HMCS CHICOUTIMI while the crew are repatriated to Canada.

Maritime Forces Atlantic will not be holding an HMCS CHICOUTIMI daily news conference on 11 October 04.

Casualties

Lieutenant (Navy) Saunder's autopsy has been completed in Sligo, Ireland. Authorities in Ireland stated that the cause of death was the direct consequence of inhaling hot gases from the fire onboard HMCS CHICOUTIMI. No other information will be released.

Lieutenant Saunders' remains were repatriated to Canada and arrived in Halifax today, 10 October 04. The military funeral is scheduled to take place in Halifax on Wednesday, 13 October 04.

The prognosis for Petty Officer 2nd  class Denis Lafleur, 41, and and Master Seaman Archibald MacMaster, 41, is most encouraging. Both remain in stable condition and continue to improve.

as of 17h00 09 October 2004

As stated by Vice-Admiral Bruce MacLean, Chief of Maritime Staff, the situation for HMCS CHICOUTIMI continues to improve.

Weather conditions are excellent and are expected to remain so for the next couple of days. HMCS CHICOUTIMI proceeded at a speed of three knots overnight and was 275 kilometres from Faslane, Scotland on 9 October.

If all goes well, it is possible HMCS CHICOUTIMI could arrive in Faslane, Scotland as early as the evening of 10 October.

The Canadian Navy frigate HMCS ST JOHN'S is en route to Scotland and is expected to meet with HMCS CHICOUTIMI on Sunday morning.

HMCS CHICOUTIMI'S sister submarine, HMCS WINDSOR, arrives in Halifax this afternoon, 9 October. HMCS WINDSOR will be providing qualified personnel who will be flown overseas to help maintain the technical systems on board HMCS CHICOUTIMI while the crew is repatriated to Canada. Between 6 to 10 engineers and technicians from HMCS WINDSOR will be required for this task.

Casualties

As of 11:30 a.m. (EST) on 9 October, The prognosis for Petty Officer 2nd  class Denis Lafleur, 41, and and Master Seaman Archibald MacMaster, 41, is most encouraging. Both remain in stable condition and continue to improve. For Master Seaman MacMaster, his condition as stable-critical has been improved to stable-serious.

The autopsy scheduled for 8 October, for Lieutenant (Navy) Saunders was delayed until 9 October in order to permit the attendance of two Canadian pathologists, in addition to the Canadian Forces medical officer in Sligo, Ireland. Lieutenant (Navy) Saunders' remains are scheduled to be repatriated to Canada, arriving in Halifax the afternoon of Sunday, 10 October.

as of 18h00 08 October 2004

Tow

• HMCS CHICOUTIMI has been under tow since yesterday afternoon (Thursday 7 October). The boat is making good progress (at speed of between 3 to 4 knots).

• Onboard, auxiliary power, some lighting and steering have been restored.

• Faslane, Scotland is the expected port of arrival for HMCS CHICOUTIMI. Delays are possible due the weather, the tides, currents and the towing assembly.

• Canadian Patrol Frigate, HMCS ST. JOHN'S is en route to the submarine. It is expected to meet HMCS CHICOUTIMI during the long weekend and will assist in any way required - provide support to submariners, give moral support. There are 189 sailors onboard.

• Personnel from sister submarine, HMCS WINDSOR, will provide assistance and technical expertise to assist HMCS CHICOUTIMI.

Lt (N) Saunders

• The repatriation of Lt(N) Saunders' remains to Canada is planned for Sunday, 10 October. His family has requested a military funeral that will take place Wednesday, 13 October in Halifax. Further details will be provided when they become available.

Other casualties

The conditions of the two other submariners are improving gradually. Petty Officer 2 nd  class Denis Lafleur, 41, and Master Seaman Archibald MacMaster, 41, remain in hospital in Sligo, Ireland. They are in stable condition.