This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/6478127.stm

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Oxygen device sparked sub blast Oxygen device sparked sub blast
(about 1 hour later)
An explosion on a submarine which killed two British sailors was caused by an emergency oxygen device, the US military has said.An explosion on a submarine which killed two British sailors was caused by an emergency oxygen device, the US military has said.
The men died on board the Devonport-based nuclear submarine HMS Tireless during an operation under the Arctic icecap. The men died on board the Devonport-based nuclear submarine HMS Tireless during a joint British-US operation under the Arctic icecap.
A third sailor was airlifted to a US military hospital in Anchorage. He is expected to make a full recovery.A third sailor was airlifted to a US military hospital in Anchorage. He is expected to make a full recovery.
A Board of Inquiry has begun into the accident on Wednesday morning.A Board of Inquiry has begun into the accident on Wednesday morning.
Forward compartment
The Trafalgar-class submarine made an emergency surface after the explosion, breaking through the ice off the Alaskan coast.
Tireless is nuclear powered, but it does not carry nuclear-armed missiles
US authorities said air-purification equipment, known as a self-contained oxygen generation candle, was the source of the blast.US authorities said air-purification equipment, known as a self-contained oxygen generation candle, was the source of the blast.
The air purification system, which is not the submarine's main oxygen supply, is in the forward escape compartment - a "quiet" area at the front of the vessel, where submariners go to relax when they are not on duty.
See where the explosion happened on HMS Tireless See where the explosion happened on HMS Tireless
A Ministry of Defence (MoD) spokesman said its use on other vessels has been restricted as a precaution until safety checks were carried out.A Ministry of Defence (MoD) spokesman said its use on other vessels has been restricted as a precaution until safety checks were carried out.
Oxygen candles are fitted to all Trafalgar-class submarines.Oxygen candles are fitted to all Trafalgar-class submarines.
'No nuclear danger' HMS TIRELESS Class - TrafalgarCommissioned - 1984Crew - 130Weapons - Tomahawk missiles, Spearfish torpedoesPropulsion - pressurised water-cooled nuclear reactorSpeed - 32knots (dived)Depth - 400m (operational), 600m (maximum)Length - 85.4m (280ft)
The former First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Alan West, told Radio 4's Today programme there had been no previous problems with the equipment.The former First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Alan West, told Radio 4's Today programme there had been no previous problems with the equipment.
"These particular oxygen generators, they're a secondary system. There's another, the primary system, that produces oxygen all the time; and there's one forward and one aft," he said."These particular oxygen generators, they're a secondary system. There's another, the primary system, that produces oxygen all the time; and there's one forward and one aft," he said.
"A new type was produced and fitted, I think, to Tireless in about 2001 or something like that and the same type is fitted across the fleet."A new type was produced and fitted, I think, to Tireless in about 2001 or something like that and the same type is fitted across the fleet.
"These ones, these particular new ones, nothing has happened with them up to date. They replaced a much older system that really stemmed from the second world war which there had been problems with, which is why we out these new ones in.""These ones, these particular new ones, nothing has happened with them up to date. They replaced a much older system that really stemmed from the second world war which there had been problems with, which is why we out these new ones in."
The nuclear reactor of HMS Tireless was unaffected and the ship itself was not in danger, the MoD said.The nuclear reactor of HMS Tireless was unaffected and the ship itself was not in danger, the MoD said.
The submarine had been taking part in a joint British-American exercise under the Arctic ice cap.
Vice Admiral Jay Donnelly, commander of the US submarine force, said: "I am deeply saddened at the loss of the crew members from the Tireless.Vice Admiral Jay Donnelly, commander of the US submarine force, said: "I am deeply saddened at the loss of the crew members from the Tireless.
"Submariners are brothers at sea and we all feel the loss as if it were our own. We stand by to continue to assist in any way we can.""Submariners are brothers at sea and we all feel the loss as if it were our own. We stand by to continue to assist in any way we can."
The accident took place on board the Trafalgar-class submarine, which does not carry nuclear missiles, on Wednesday morning. The families of both dead sailors have been told.The accident took place on board the Trafalgar-class submarine, which does not carry nuclear missiles, on Wednesday morning. The families of both dead sailors have been told.
Tomahawk missilesTomahawk missiles
Oxygen candles are emergency devices that create oxygen through a chemical reaction. Some devices burn at high temperatures during the reaction.Oxygen candles are emergency devices that create oxygen through a chemical reaction. Some devices burn at high temperatures during the reaction.
HMS Tireless was launched in 1985. The piece of air-purification machinery thought to have failed was fitted as part of an update in 2001.HMS Tireless was launched in 1985. The piece of air-purification machinery thought to have failed was fitted as part of an update in 2001.
The submarine is the third of seven Trafalgar-class SSN submarines in the Royal Navy, and usually carries of crew of 130.The submarine is the third of seven Trafalgar-class SSN submarines in the Royal Navy, and usually carries of crew of 130.
All Trafalgar-class submarines are armed with five tubes capable of firing Tomahawk missiles.All Trafalgar-class submarines are armed with five tubes capable of firing Tomahawk missiles.
The MoD will now hold an investigation, known as a Board of Inquiry, to prevent a reoccurrence of the tragedy and to see what lessons can be learned.The MoD will now hold an investigation, known as a Board of Inquiry, to prevent a reoccurrence of the tragedy and to see what lessons can be learned.
Return to top Return to top