Submarines have come a long way
Re: Cartoon (Jan. 30)
Your editorial cartoon refers to the air quality monitoring systems for Canada’s problem plagued submarines.
Firstly, let me address the “problem plagued” comment. This over used and demeaning description of our submarines is no longer applicable. Our Navy has worked extremely hard to get these problems ironed out. The result is that HMCS Victoria, our city’s submarine, is now fully operational.
Last year, she performed extremely well in RIMPAC exercises held out of Pearl Harbour. The culmination of this performance was the successful firing of a MK-48 torpedo that sunk an obsolete ship and demonstrated our boat’s potent capability. Our other three submarines will attain this capability in the near future.
Secondly, a high-tech central air quality monitoring system is a “nice to have” system. It is certainly not essential as our boats have portable systems capable of monitoring the quality of air, including the levels of carbon dioxide and oxygen. If these levels get outside the laid down parameters, the boat has equipment that can reduce the level of carbon dioxide or produce oxygen.
I believe that it is now time to start reporting on the positive accomplishments of our submarines and submariners – they deserve it.
Cmdr. (Ret.) Lloyd Barnes
Saanich
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