K-159

This is coolbert:

Here is another instance of a Russian submarine sinking. In peacetime [2003], due to a combination of unfortunate circumstances.

The K-159. A November class nuclear submarine, being towed to a shipyard to be dismantled. Also presume the core of the nuclear reactor to be removed and safely disposed of.

While being towed in the Barents Sea, a skeletal crew on board, the ship foundered and sank. EVEN WITH FLOATATION PONTOONS ATTACHED, THE SUBMARINE WAS SO RUST-EATEN AND FULL OF HOLES THAT IT COULD NOT BE KEPT AFLOAT AND SANK. Nine of the ten men aboard being lost.

"K-159 doomed by expectations of Western funding"

"The K-159, a Russian first generation November class submarine, was doomed when it set sail, towed by a tugboat from the Northern Fleet's semi-abandoned Gremikha Base"

"On 30 August 2003, the submarine K-159 sank during stormy weather while being towed to the shipyard in Snezhnogorsk, Murmansk Oblast for scrapping (K-159 was removed from service in May 1989). Nine sailors died in the accident and one was rescued."

Areas, such as Murmansk, are "awash" with decrepit rusting Russian submarine hulks? Rusting away, settling to the bottom, and leaking nuclear radiation? This is a severe problem? A problem for which there seems to amelioration? "Western" foreign funds have been established to deal with the rotting, rusting hulks? But the need is so great and the money so little?

One reason that the Russians have a declining and sickly population is in part from environmental degradation. Controls and regulations to prevent pollution were always lacking, the historical Soviet/Russian indifferece to such difficulties self-evident!

Exactly how safe were the reactors on board the various Soviet/Russian nuclear subs is unknown to me! Slow but sure radiation leakage is going to be around for millenia to come?

Just don't drink the water!

coolbert.