Tue, March 1, 2005
Probe in sub fire restarted
By CP
http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/TorontoSun/News/2005/03/01/945968-sun.html
NAVAL board of inquiry reconvenes behind closed doors tomorrow in Halifax, taking crucial testimony that will help to determine who -- or what -- is to blame for the fatal fire aboard HMCS Chicoutimi. The investigation was paused halfway through last month as the submarine's skipper and two senior officers sought legal advice.
Cmdr. Luc Pelletier is expected to be the star witness at the hearing into his decision to leave one of two conning tower hatches open as repairs were conducted on a stuck vent.
The opening of the hatch is believed to be an important link in a series of events that led to the electrical fire which claimed the life of Lieut. Chris Saunders, 32, and left the submarine powerless and bobbing on the ocean surface.
Some members of the navy, who spoke anonymously, have said they were worried Pelletier, who is a popular figure in the tightly knit submarine community, was being set up to take the fall for what they claim might be poor workmanship by British shipbuilders.
No one, however, is being singled out for blame at this stage of the investigation, a military spokesman was quoted as saying Monday.