Date of Incident: 26 August, 1988
Returned to Service: No
While returning to port on the surface, BAP Pacocha (SS-48), the former USS Atule (SS-403), a GUPPY IA Balao class submarine was struck in her after port quarter by the Japanese fishing trawler Kiowa Maru. The collision occurred at 1850, just ten minutes before Pacocha was scheduled to arrive.
Pacocha sank very quickly. Her commanding officer, Captain Daniel Nieva Rodriguez, lost his life while securing the bridge access hatch. Three other men were trapped in the flooding compartments and drowned immediately. Twenty three men successfully escaped the sinking submarine, but twenty two others were trapped in the forward compartments.
Pacocha settled on the bottom in 140 feet of water. The trapped crew released the forward emergency buoy and began firing red flares. Although modern, US-designed "Steinke" escape hoods were available, most of the crew was unfamiliar with them and untrained in their use.
Within two hours, the worst fears of the Peruvian Navy were confirmed, and rescue operations began. The survivors in the water were picked up. Although three died of hypothermia in the 57 degree water, the prompt action of the Peruvian Navy undoubtably saved many lives.
Although rescue assistance was quickly requested from the US Navy (and promptly granted), by mid-day of the 27th the situation inside the submarine was deteriorating and the trapped men decided to escape using the "Steinke" hoods. One man requested that SCUBA gear be provided for him, since he was a trained diver.
Over a period of six hours, the twenty two survivors escaped in groups. Nineteen used "Steinke" hoods and three used ordinary SCUBA gear. One of this last group developed severe decompression sickness and died.
Harvey
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