A521.1.4.RB_HallMike

When I think of stories in the Navy and how they are used to change a culture, the first one that comes to mind is the story of the death of the USS THRESHER back in 1963 – what is still the deadliest submarine loss for the USN.  Prior to her sinking, the quality control methods for materials and maintenance done on submarines was lacking at times.  As a result, often there was poor work performed on key systems or there was improper or bad materials used to perform the maintenance.  In some systems, this lack of control is ok (if it ever is ok) however on systems like the seawater systems where watertight integrity is a must or the emergency blow system that is literally your last line to get you back to the surface, it can’t happen.  It did happen however during a maintenance period and during the follow on sea trials, she sprung a leak back aft in the engineroom which cut propulsion.  When she attempted to emergency blow, condensation in the compressed air system froze, resulting in a partial blow of the main ballast tanks.  Unable to fully empty her ballast tanks and without propulsion, she sank with a loss of all hands and multiple shipyard workers.

                So how does this story promote the ideals of the submarine community?  Directly following this incident, the investigation revealed that the poor maintenance practices and lack of control on materials was a direct contributor to her loss.  As a result, the powers that be decided to implement a new program called SUBSAFE.  This program placed strict controls on materials and maintenance procedures performed on key systems of the ship that deal with water tight integrity and emergency systems.  To this day, I do not think many submariners can talk about the SUBSAFE program without thinking about the USS THRESHER.  Due to the constant training we receive on the program, all crewmembers are completely versed on the program and all procedures relating to it are performed with the utmost levels of concentration and formality.  The program itself is definitely is a great representative for what the submarine force stands for.  As a force, we are supremely confident in our both our machines and the manner in which we operate them.  We are known throughout the world as quite professionals that demand and expect nothing but your best effort while on board the ship.  It is sad that we had to lose a submarine for this change in policy to take place, however as are most things in the services, the policy is written in blood.