The Indonesian Navy confirmed Saturday, April 24, that the submarine that went missing near Bali has “sunk” with 53 people on board. Authorities believe that even if the crew survived the submarine’s sinking, oxygen reserves are now depleted.
Indonesian Navy Chief of Staff Yudo Margono said today, “Based on what we believe to be evidence from this KRI Nanggala submarine, we have changed the status of the submarine from +missing+ to +sunken.”
Object found inside submarine
The debris found, he said, “could not have left the submarine without external pressure or damage to its torpedo system.” Among the several items recovered were pieces of a torpedo system and a bottle of grease used to lubricate the periscope, as well as a blanket used for Muslim prayers.
Several pieces of debris found included items from inside the submarine, indicating irreparable damage to the submarine, AFP said.
The presence of an oil slick on the sea at the site of the accident was considered bad news: retired Vice Admiral Jean-Louis Vichot, a former French nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) commander, told AFP that the fuel slick was “a bad sign.” That’s because “these diesel fuels are contained in the internal and external storage bunkers.” If the ship develops cracks in the hull, the tanks will break and the diesel will rise and float to the surface of the sea.
Diving over depth and overload
Indonesian military authorities believe the submersible could have sunk to a depth of 700 meters, much deeper than it was designed for. But the military did not provide an explanation for what might have happened, or why the submarine’s crew exceeded the 40 or so for which it was designed.
Jean-Louis Vichot, a former French nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) commander, said this type of submarine is designed to withstand pressures at depths of 300 or 400 meters. At higher pressures, the submarine’s hull could rupture.
The Indonesian Navy said the submarine, delivered to Indonesia in 1981, was in good condition when it entered service.
Foreign reinforcements
Because Indonesia does not have submarine rescue capabilities, foreign support was called in. The United States sent airborne troops. Meanwhile two Australian Navy ships arrived in the area. In addition, reinforcements from India and Malaysia, as well as a submarine rescue vessel from Singapore, MV Swift Rescue, are also due to arrive.
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