SUBMARINE DAMAGE DEMANDS DISCIPLINARY ACTION
The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Ms. Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, has confirmed that the submarine, the SAS Queen Modjaji's accident with the seabed has left a dent of 1,5 m by 1,5 m in the hull. It happened during a safety drill with the submarine. A Board of Inquiry will determine what the responsibilities and accountability of the crew was in the cause of the accident. The Minister was replying in Parliament to a question of Mr. Pieter Groenewald of the Freedom Front Plus.
"The reply of the Minister confirms my allegations that there had been negligence and poor training. The exercise was carried out in precisely to imitate such a situation where the hydraulic pressure in the submarine should be stopped. Such exercises have strict security measures that have to be followed and it is clear that these measures were not implemented. The outcome of the Board of Inquiry is being awaited and disciplinary steps should be taken," Mr. Pieter Groenewald, the chief spokesperson on Defence and Military Veterans for the Freedom Front Plus, said.
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
WRITTEN REPLY
2100. Mr P J Groenwald (FF Plus) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(1)(a) Why the submarine SAS Queen Modjadji has hit the ocean floor and (b) what is the extent of the damage to the submarine;
(2) whether any disciplinary steps have been taken against (a) the commander or (b) any member of the crew; if not, why not; if so, (i) against whom and (ii) which steps in each case;
(3) whether she will make a statement on the matter?
NW2605E
REPLY
(1) and (2)
The submarine SAS Queen Modjadji 1 made an unplanned contact with the sea-bottom (mud and sand) on the 17th July 2012 during routine "diving safety drill" and "hydraulic oil pressure failure" exercise. The Board of Inquiry (BOI) has been convened by SA Navy to determine factors that may have caused the incident.
The outcome of the report of BOI will provide the recommendation about the responsibility and accountability of the members of the crew involved.
A technical investigation has shown that SAS Queen Modjadji 1 has suffered an indentation (approximately 1,5m by 1,5m) to the outer protective plating (7.8mm) of the bow, protecting the main ballast tank no: 5.
Statement issued by Mr. Pieter Groenewald (MP), FF Plus chief spokesperson: Defence and Military Veterans, September 11 2012
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