Shady deals of freon suppliers killed SSN Nerpa crewmen – RADM Maksimov

11.05.2011 Accident happened to SSN Nerpa claimed lives of 20 submariners. The tragedy's cause is a fraud of swindlers who loaded the submarine's firefighting system with off-grade gas, said Rear Admiral (retired) Alexander Maksimov at the press conference summarizing investigation held by military procuracy, reports PrimaMedia.

Unauthorized actuation of onboard firefighting system occurred in SSN Nerpa during trials in the Sea of Japan on Nov 8, 2008. First and second compartments were full of gas; 20 crewmen died of suffocation.

"The firefighting system should be loaded with freon gas", says former Pacific Fleet Chemical Officer Rear Admiral (retired) Alexander Maksimov. "Its effect on human respiratory system is not instant. While breathing freon, submariners are bright-eyed for 5-10 minutes. Normally, this time is enough to put on oxygen masks and help colleagues. However, crewmen of Nerpa had not this time", Maksimov said.

After the accident, directors of Amur Shipyard (manufacturer of SSN Nerpa) stated that for unknown reason two thirds of the sub's firefighting gas was toxic agent - carbon dichloride. According to rules, instead of carbon dichloride firefighting system should contain low-toxic agent – dibromotetrafluoroethane.

"Nerpa's firefighting system was loaded with a mixture of freon (34%) and carbon dichloride (66%). Being a solvent, carbon dichloride turned into toxic phosgene after entry to the submarine compartment", explained Maksimov.

"That was just why submariners died. This gas is tens times cheaper than freon. Given the volumes needed for a submarine, the gas-change fraud afforded suppliers a RUR 5.5 mln profit. Freon for SSN Nerpa was purchased via six fly-by-night intermediate firms. So far, investigation has failed to reveal the manufacturer. Violations are everywhere. When production is over, the final inspection must be carried out; this data is recorded in special certificates. Obviously, incoming inspection of the gas delivered to Amur Shipyard was also done with blatant violations. Finally, an acceptance act must have been drawn during freon injection into the sub. I can't understand why investigators have ignored all these facts and continue to blame the sub's commander and a petty officer", concluded the ex-admiral.

Recall that the submarine's commanding officer Capt 1 rank (Guards) Dmitry Lavrentiev and bilge engineer Petty Officer 2 class Dmitry Grobov are named as defendants in the notorious case of SSN Nerpa. Investigation has reached a conclusion that the accident with 20 dead and 38 injured was caused by action (inaction) of the two mentioned servicemen. Meanwhile, Russia's maritime community stood up for submariners saying that military procuracy simply looks for "whipping boys". On application of defense counsels, the case will be trialled by jury. Preliminary hearing with jurymen is set on May 20.