You're right about the cause. Somehow or the other, no one managed to pull and inspect the pivot pins for the A-frame during the annual(s?). One sheared, the hydraulic interlocks failed and after a horrifying couple of minutes, during which the swimmer (who was hit by the crane and nearly killed) was recovered, nobody did the right thing. The deck supervisor froze, and the guys in the sub couldn't do a thing but watch as one piece after another broke or tore away
They had a dent in the tailcone (PC-1201, by the way) when they got to the bottom, and a small leak in a spool-piece hull seal, but landed more or less upright with the crane on top of them so the batteries were okay and they were able to pump the bilges every so often to keep their britches dry. PC-1202 was working ten miles away. They recovered their divers double-quick and ran down to the site, relaunched and hooked a wire to the frame, hauled it up enough from the surface to push the sub free, and let them get on their way.
This happened right next to a platform, which helped a lot. Martin surfaced the sub on his own, under full control, and was recovered without further incident onto the 1202's mother ship. The platform guys raised the A-frame and they backed the 1201's ship under it and took it home. After that, it was tall whiskeys and long stares out to sea--and who could blame them? Perry built a new tailcone and Intersub overhauled the A-frame and everybody went back to work. Nothing to it.
An interesting side note is that someone bought 1201 from the tourist diving outfit that has been operating it on Okinawa and they brought it back to Riviera Beach for an overhaul. And nobody, but nobody, could figure out why the tailcone ID tag had one set of numbers, and the pressure hull another. I just happened by and was able to tell them--otherwise I guess they'd still be scratching their collective heads. If you ever stop by Perry you'll see a string of photos of some of us on the wall, or at least of Perry equipment with some of us mugging for the camera. But don't ask about us. Nobody there knows anything about all this stuff, and ain't that a dirty shame?
Vance,
A scary ride indeed but, a testament to the ruggedness of the design, and the professionalism of the personnel involved. I'm guessing a Perry class submersible based on your background. Were they able to detach themselves, or did they have to wait for someone?
That's the kind of accident that catches you by complete surprise, an unimaginable event that you hope your pre-planned procedures can cover you. But I'll venture a further guess that the sub crews were not responsible for the failure of that A-Frame, an example of your life in someone-else's hands.
One of the events that has turned me off aviation, was practicing instrument approaches one day under positive ATC control, only to glance up in time to see the rivets on a King Air. It's my final responsibility to "see and avoid", but too many people in the mix, myself, my blind safety pilot, the controller, and those other two idiots.
When you look at PSUBS, and you see someone like Dan H. You see someone with nearly absolute complete control over the manufacturing process, maintenance, and operations. Truly, captain of your own ship and master of your own destiny.
I find this truly attractive! Now I just have to find a way to keep the idiot boaters from running me down! :)
Joe
>From:
vbra676539@aol.com
>Reply-To:
personal_submersibles@psubs.org
>To:
personal_submersibles@psubs.org
>Subject: Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Xubmersibles (was: Escape Mockup)
>Date: Tue, 03 Oct 2006 19:27:41 -0400
>
>Well put, Joe. However, I could name you a few that just couldn't be >helped. How about a ride to the bottom (400'+) while attached to a 22 ton >A-frame that had just sheared off the deck? I didn't take the ride, but I >trained the guy who did. They lived to dive another day, by the way. >Probably wouldn't ever ride an ultralight without a parachute, come to >think of it--but neither one of the guys gave a second thought to going >back underwater in a sub.
>Vance
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From:
joeperkel@hotmail.com
>To:
personal_submersibles@psubs.org
>Sent: Tue, 3 Oct 2006 5:14 PM
>Subject: Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Xubmersibles (was: Escape Mockup)
>
>
>Rick,
>
>I suspect this can be attributed to the psychology of (1) a confined space, >and (2) the possibility of drowning in same. I find my own lower limit >diameter wise,... is a K-350. The thought of squeezing into Sgt Peppers is >a bit unnerving.
>
>I don't think the pressure and risk of implosion bothers laymen so >much,.... ask most people what one atm of pressure =, and they will likely >not know. It's the image of being trapped like a drowned rat that makes >people queasy about subs.
>
>The ultra light analogy is a risk where basic physics is in your favor. A >feather-light aircraft with an engine out, but still controllable airframe >is quite an acceptable risk for a competent airman.
>
>A bungee jumper, on the other hand, relies less on personal ability, but >more so on complete faith in the mechanical integrity of the bungee and >attachments.
>
>Where PSUBS are concerned, I firmly believe, that if the vessel is sound >and maintained so, then the risk is directly proportional to the manner in >which it is operated.
>
>Joe
>
>
>
> >From: "Rick and Marcia" <
empiricus@telus.net>
> >Reply-To:
personal_submersibles@psubs.org
> >To: <
personal_submersibles@psubs.org>
> >Subject: Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Xubmersibles (was: Escape Mockup)
> >Date: Tue, 3 Oct 2006 10:41:45 -0700
> >
> >Funny how that looks to others . . . I have to agree that love - and art >- >is sometimes in the eye of the beholder.
> >
> >Echoing Patrick's observations, a friend of mine used to be an aerial > >photographer and shot from an ultralight. No parachute, no second chance. > >He turned into a glider pilot eight times over his career - eight > >engine-outs for one reason or another, all of them not his fault (believe > >it or not).
> >
> >He looks at me like I'm out of my mind - thinks just being u/w is > >outlandishly dangerous. Hates boats with a passion. Go figure.
> >
> >A submarine? Are you out of your mind?
> >
> >Rick L
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Patrick
> > To:
personal_submersibles@psubs.org
> > Sent: Tuesday, October 03, 2006 9:00 AM
> > Subject: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Xubmersibles (was: Escape Mockup)
> >
> >
> > To put it in further perspective;
> > There have been many people in my peer group and at work whom
> > have bungee jumped, skydived, raced cars, flown small craft, etc.
> > whose jaw drops when they find out that yes, I have indeed piloted
> > a mini-sub and plan to build one.
> >
> > -patrick
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: James Kocourek
> > To:
personal_submersibles@psubs.org
> > Sent: Tuesday, October 03, 2006 6:21 AM
> > Subject: Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Escape Mockup
> >
> >
> > I could'nt agree with you more Frank. As a former Dirt track racer, > >I've known some people who were seriously hurt and one who isn't here > >because of their chosen sport - none that I talked to would change if >they >could replay, I also am hoping to come out on the top side of this > >challenge - but if not - It sure beats watching TV.
> >
> > Sadly, Most live entire lives and never push the envelope!
> >
> > Great thoughts - Well said - Frank,
> >
> > Jim Kocourek
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From:
ShellyDalg@aol.com
> > To:
personal_submersibles@psubs.org
> > Sent: Tuesday, October 03, 2006 12:03 AM
> > Subject: Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Escape Mockup
> >
> >
> > I'm not all that humble, but I'll tell you what I believe.
> > The bulk of the men involved in this adventure have a pretty good >idea >of the risk involved.
> > Extreme sports, of which this could be described by some outsiders, >is >all about pushing the envelope, and sometimes doing what is thought to >be >impossible by many.
> > Scuba diving, hang gliding, down hill skiing, surfing the big ones >in >Hawaii, or any other FUN thing has it's risks. As professionals, any > >person capable of building his own sub, knows the need to minimize risks > >and plan for all contingencies, but still expect to die if the shit hits > >the fan.
> > Although I grieve for the men and their families, I still envy them >for >their courage and imagination.
> > Men are made by their desires, and driven by their dreams.
> > The friends who perished were living those dreams, and probably > >wouldn't trade their lives for anyone's.
> > Let's celebrate their achievements, and remember them as they would > >like to be remembered. Hero's of a new dimension for mankind ( the deep >sea >) and true explorers laying out a path for the rest of us to follow.
> > Thanks, Frank D.
>
>
>
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