30 years ago, around ten sailors died in the accident of the Emeraude nuclear submarine

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The 30 mars 1994and tragic accident in the machine compartment of theEmerald had caused the death of ten sailorsdont the commanderduring a dive off the coast of Toulon.

“We are their heirs and we pay tribute to them every year,” recalled Commander Yoann Jose-Maria, last commander of the building during his stopover in Brest.

The latest one going back to April 6, 2024by the National Navy in Toulon, “ a duty to remember of the National Navy towards people who have lost a loved one, but also to those who are still serving on board today”, underlines Ensign Vincent, communications officer for the submarine forces and the Force strategic ocean (Fost).

Security measures still relevant today

At 10:35 a.m., while the submarine was diving at a depth of 190 meters and 12 people were in the turbo-alternator room, a water inlet suddenly appears on the seawater refrigeration collector of the turbo alternator group.

Despite the efforts of the crew that day, steam invaded the compartment, causing the death of ten of the occupants of the space. by asphyxiation and burns.

Behind this accident,additional security measures were applied, “still in force today”, underlines Officer Vincent.

The revision of procedures in terms of frequency of maintenance of seawater circuits, a redefinition of the resistance standards of thick and waterproof hulls, improvements in damage detection, as well as the neutralization of these.

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