|
|
|
|
SAN DIEGO, May 22, 2002 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- The 43 crew members from the Navy's only diesel-powered submarine were safe Wednesday after being forced to abandon ship after a fire broke out on the boat about 100 miles southwest of San Diego. Two of the sailors from the USS Dolphin had to be fished from the chilly ocean by a Coast Guard helicopter in the wee hours of the morning Wednesday and were flown back to San Diego. However, no serious injuries were reported, and all hands were accounted for. "Their families have been notified," Navy Capt. Bruce Smith told reporters at the submarine base at Ballast Point Wednesday morning. "They have been told that their family members are in good shape and there are no significant injuries." The Dolphin was on the surface late Tuesday night when fire broke out aboard the 165-foot sub. Despite a two-hour battle, the crew could not stop the fire or subsequent flooding and was forced to take to small boats to await rescue by another research ship in the area. The cause of the fire was under investigation Wednesday and a ship from San Diego was en route to tow the crippled Dolphin back to San Diego Bay. The Dolphin was commissioned in 1968 and is used for deep-diving research
projects due to its ability to reach depths of 3,000 feet. 05
|