The Source for Navy News
U.S. Submarine Support Ship Assists Canadian Submarine
Story Number: NNS041013-08
Release Date: 10/13/2004 4:30:00 PM
By Journalist 2nd Class Lily Daniels, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe Public Affairs
LONDON (NNS) -- Sailors aboard the U.S. submarine support ship MV Carolyn Chouest joined in the international rescue efforts for the Canadian submarine HMCS Chicoutimi in October.
Two electrical circuit fires broke out aboard the Chicoutimi Oct. 5, resulting in a loss of power and propulsion more than 100 miles northwest of Ireland in the eastern Atlantic.
When requests for assistance came in, Carolyn Chouest was on a port visit in Faslane, Scotland.
“We arrived on-scene Thursday afternoon, and there were five other British ships assisting the submarine,” said Lt. Dean Manley, operations officer aboard. “The British tug boat [MV Anglian Prince] was initially towing the submarine, but we took over the tow on Saturday, because the Carolyn is specifically designed to tow subs.”
Carolyn Chouest also has towing monitoring equipment aboard and can tow at a quicker speed than regular tugboats. For the crew of Carolyn Chouest, this was a fairly routine tow.
“We cut away the tow at Cumbrae Gap, in the Firth of Clyde, an inlet of water near Scotland that provides passage to Faslane," added Manley. "The British tug boats took over from there and pulled the submarine in Sunday evening."
MV Carolyn Chouest is one of five leased submarine support ships from Edison Chouest Offshore. The crew is comprised of 35 Sailors and 15 civilian crew members from Edison Chouest Offshore.
Carolyn Chouest, from Groton, Conn., is operated by Military Sealift Command.
For related news, visit the Naval Forces Europe Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/naveur.
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