Investigation of SSN Nerpa accident has been finished

31.03.2011 Pacific Fleet Court Martial approved the indictment on criminal case initiated after the accident happened to Russian nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN) K-152 Nerpa on Nov 8, 2008 and resulted in 20 deaths, reported RIA Novosti on Thursday referring to a spokesman for PF Military Procuracy.

A fire occurred on SSN Nerpa on Nov 8, 2008 during shipyard's sea trials in the Sea of Japan. As a result of unauthorized operation of firefighting system, freon gas entered the sub's compartments. Twenty persons died, 21 were intoxicated. In total, there were 208 men onboard the sub.

The sub's commanding officer and engineer were accused. Investigators concluded they were those people "whose activity (inactivity) resulted in the accident with deaths and harm to the health of 38 crewmembers".

Investigation accused commanding officer Lavrentiev of a crime defined in clause 286/3 of RF Criminal Code (excess of service duties caused heavy consequences – death by negligence of two and more persons). The clause's sanction is up to 10 years imprisonment.

Petty officer Dmitry Grobov is charged of a crime defined in clause 109/3 of RF Criminal Code (improper execution of service duties caused death by negligence of two or more persons) providing up to 5 years of imprisonment. Investigation also charges Grobov of involuntary causing heavy harm to the health of two trial crewmembers as a result of improper execution of service duties (clause 118/2 of RF Criminal Code). The case was transferred to Pacific Fleet Court Martial for trial on the merits.

The submarine was recommissioned into Russian Navy after repair in Dec 2009. It is planned to lease SSN Nerpa to Indian Navy no later than in Oct 2011.

SSN Nerpa (K-152, Project 971 Schuka-B) is a 3-generation submarine laid down in 1991 at Amur Shipyard (Komsomolsk-on-Amur). However, financing of the sub's construction was shut down in mid 90's. Completion of SSN Nerpa became possible only by virtue of India's investments.

The submarine's displacement is 8,140/12,770 tons; max speed is 30 knots; test depth is 600 meters; endurance is 100 days; crew is 73; armament includes 4 x 533-mm torpedo tubes and 4 x 650-mm torpedo tubes.