Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Russian Nuclear Powered Submarine “Krasnodar” Catches Fire During Decommissioning Work At Murmansk Naval Yard


Nuclear Submarine On Fire -- Barents Observer

Nuclear powered submarine “Krasnodar” on fire during decommissioning work at the naval yard Nerpa north of Murmansk Monday morning. The submarine is the sistership of “Kursk” of the Oscar-II class and has two nuclear reactors.

Heavy black smoke rises to the sky from a dock where “Krasnodar” currently is undergoing decommissioning. Nerpa shipyard is located north of Murmansk inside the closed military area.

“Krasnodar” was one of the very last Cold War submarines to be taken out of operation for scrapping in 2012.

The 155 meter long submarine has been sailing for the Russian Northern fleet since 1986, and was under decommissioning at the Nerpa-yard when the fire started Monday morning. “Krasnodar” - K148 - was the first of the upgraded Oscar-II class submarines. The sub is similar to the ill-fated “Kursk” submarine that sank in the Barents Sea in August 2000 while firing a torpedo.

Read more ....

More News On Reports Of A Fire On A Decommissioned Russian Nuclear Sub

United shipbuilding corporation confirms fire on scrapped nuclear sub in northern Russia -- Russia & India Report
United shipbuilding corporation confirms fire on scrapped nuclear sub in northern Russia -- ITAR-Tass
Submarine catches fire. No threat reported -- Barents Nova
Monday fire at Nerpa naval shipyard reveals pattern of neglect in delicate nuclear decommissioning practices -- Bellona

WNU Editor: Apparently the fuel rods and reactor were removed before today's fire .... talk about close calls. If you know how to speak Russian .... there are more details (and a photo gallery) here.

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