Operational History
On 12 February 2003, Dechaineux was operating near her maximum safe diving depth off the coast of Western Australia when a seawater hose burst. The high-pressure seawater flooded the lower engine room before the hose was sealed off: it was estimated that if the inflow had continued for another twenty seconds, the weight of the water would have prevented Dechaineux from returning to the surface. The RAN recalled the Collins class submarines to base after the incident, and after engineers were unable to determine the flaw in the pipes that caused the incident, instructed that the maximum safe depth of the class be reduced.
Dechaineux underwent a maintenance period during 2009 and early 2010; the submarine was returned to service in late May 2010.
On 9 November 2010, Dechaineux was damaged after a tugboat helping the submarine to manoeuver from her berth at HMAS Stirling crossed over the submarine's stern. The submarine was sent to the Australian Marine Complex at Henderson, Western Australia for repairs: these were completed within a week, and Dechaineux was operational by late November.
Read more about this topic: HMAS Dechaineux (SSG 76)
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