Military of China, force comment.
Military of China, force comment.

Data Figure: Taiwan’s submarines are at sea cruise

newspaper correspondent often grind days

Taiwan navy’s submarine force is small, but has the world’s oldest active-duty submarine – “Sea Lion” number and “seal”. Because of disrepair, the two “antique” Size fault constantly, it seems each voyage will be gone. To call public attention to this security risk, Taiwan’s “military experts” magazine article published in the May issue, full simulation of the sinking boat accident scene, and the Taiwan authorities, the United States and mainland China may take measures for the deduction –

Taiwan hundred officers and men to be “trapped” submarine

201X was at 8:00 on April 1, Taiwan’s navy a submarine, carrying 71 men and 22 trainees exit left camp in Hong Kong, to the open sea training. Two hours later, the submarine arrived at pre-sea completed the examination, immediately began to dive.

day of fine weather, the sea calm, the beginning of the submarine dive little abnormal. As the senior non-commissioned officers continue to report the depth of the data, Lieutenant Colonel Captain vision is sometimes dive speed faster than the past. While he was secretly surprised when, after the cabin suddenly above the hull weld cracking due to aging, dozens of ordinary shares of water injection as the sword, “the cabin water!” Moment of sirens rang all boats. Non-commissioned officers on duty inside the cabin quickly tried plugging, but even if it is close to the water column are very difficult.

seeing the water can not control, the captain immediately ordered the “emergency float.” However, the submarine’s sinking speed not only failed to slow down, hand, high-pressure air discharge with a sharp shock, rapid expansion of cracks in the hull. A few minutes of time, complete loss of the submarine force and power, 15-degree angle into the 169 meters under the sea. 3 crew drowned on the spot, and the remaining 90 people (including 22 wounded), 24 people fled to the shelter after the torpedo compartment, the rest are concentrated in the first boat to wait for foreign aid.

mainland China, the United States were shot support

trailing at the rear of the Taiwan submarine surface ships, not the first time aware of the accident. Until 11:30, after contact has been answered several times, sailors know the situation is not good, to report the emergency operations center ashore. “Naval Command” shocked hearing the news, ordered the start to implement underwater rescue “Rui dolphin program,” and requested the U.S. Navy to provide support.

the United States after receipt of notice, immediately instructed the naval base in San Diego, California, deep-sea rescue unit, a large transport plane loaded with special equipment such as rescue submarines in Taiwan direct flights, but the time estimate is still 50 hours.

At the same time, trapped in a submarine through the emergency repairs, to restore some of the power supply. Afternoon hours, they finally issued a weak distress signal captured by surface ships. Captain reported that through temporary lines of communication, lack of stock air submarines, power supply may be interrupted at any time, the only remaining part of the container in the high-pressure air, will be held until the last critical moment to use.

until this point, all the news about the accident is still Taiwan’s military blockade, only some of the officers and men of the families are notified. However, at 15 o’clock that day, the U.S. Cable News Network (CNN) broadcast emergency messages suddenly, San Diego, said base being mounted underwater rescue equipment, destined for Taiwan. Media have the island to headlines, aroused a public outcry, the face of enormous public pressure forced the military held a press conference, the basic situation of the accident publicly.

mainland China to respond quickly. 18 points overall, the Taiwan Affairs Office spokesman said, has been informed of the news of Taiwan’s submarine accident, the PLA East Sea Fleet and South Sea Fleet submarine rescue ship will go to parties. The spokesman stressed that, given that the U.S. rescue slow, as long as the request of the leader of Taiwan, the mainland ship can provide immediate help.

the victims were forced to self-escape

30 hours after the accident, Taiwan began to try to rescue. However, due to deteriorating weather and sea conditions, coupled with complex seafloor topography, not only saving space docking with the submarine, divers trying to transfer air to submarines efforts failed. At this point, after being isolated in the torpedo compartment 24 for air crew shortage, the situation is increasingly critical, had to choose self-escape.

precautions despite repeated instructions, but in the open hatch of the moment, the qualifications of the deep part of the soldiers are still terrified. After a flurry, including the chief engineer, including seven people drowned in submarines, successfully emerge from the 17 after another, but most occur because of excessive pressure to reduce “diving” disease into a swoon, was rushed to rescue the rear .

Shortly thereafter, the PLA sent a submarine rescue ship arrived off the coast of the left camp, but the Taiwan authorities have always refused to invite their participation in the rescue. After the incident 52 hours, carrying a U.S. special operations equipment, aircraft finally landed at Kaohsiung airport, never think that the last straw because of poor road conditions and delays in arrival terminal, Taiwan had the temporary removal of roadblocks . U.S. military officials angrily commanded the scene, do nothing.

after the incident 54 hours trapped in front of the submarine’s 66 officers and men also feel the air is insufficient. See no hope of outside aid, the captain most drastic decision to self-escape. 3 groups of surviving officers and men, according to the degree of injury and qualifications to determine the depth of the order from the boat. Everything was ready, the crew, regardless of surface ships, “waiting for rescue,” the instructions to begin the evacuation process. Effective for the organization, all floating on the surface 66 eventually, but most have been fainting. For a time, left camp to wait for emergency hospital crowded with officers and men, very chaotic scene.

media storm hit Taiwan governing authorities

Although the medical staff trying to rescue the men in self-escape, there are still 52 people died within 1 week . PLA naval vessels driven across the border station, the U.S. military rescue team is also without success, to the media that “Taiwan’s navy could not do the advance preparation.” The island’s turbulent media, opposition parties took the opportunity to request “the President” to step down; Although military officials repeatedly and publicly reviewed, but enraged the families of the deceased ton of bricks, from a variety of political talk shows last month to denounce the sound is also not subsided. With the support of the authorities below the low rate, Taiwan’s “defense minister” was forced to resign.

article concluded that, in the case of a real submarine rescue, the Russian “Kursk” the most tragic accident in 2000; as not to allow foreign rescue teams to intervene in time, 118 officers and men of all boats killed, so that the Russian government and the military leaving in disgrace. Text virtual Taiwan submarine accident, although not the size and the “Kursk” sank in comparison, but in the approach, public reaction and so on in exactly the same, caused by political turmoil should not be underestimated.

article thus warning the face of the world’s longest period of service, fault breaches of the two old submarines, once the accident, damage will not only Taiwan’s military prestige and authority reputation, dozens of broken families, the subject is unable to compensate for the damage.