CHAPTER 8 OBSERVATIONS AFTER THE ACCIDENT

The visor side locking lugs remained in their recesses in the front bulkhead of the ship, located on their locking bolts. The port side lug had rotated as far as it could in the recess in a direction indicating an initial upward movement of the attachment. The bottom face of the starboard lug was pointing out from the recess (Figure 8.18) indicating only a slight rotation in the same direction as the port lug. The divers estimated the play between the bolts and the holes in the lugs to be about ten millimetres. A hole due to an impact by the lugs of the starboard manual lock was noted in the front bulkhead just above the starboard side lock.
The lugs had separated from the visor by shearing of the visor plating around the attachment welds, leaving rectangular holes in the visor bulkhead plating (Figures 8.19 and 8.20). The tear pattern and deformation of the bulkhead generally indicated that the lugs had been torn off in a downwards and aft direction.
The length of the bottom face of the lugs was estimated from the length of the holes remaining in the visor to about 380 mm. The thickness of the lugs was confirmed to be 60 mm. The plating of the visor aft bulkhead was confirmed to be 8 mm.

Figure 8.16 Deck hinge fitting, port side. One separated hinge bushing visible at bottom picture.

Figure 8.17 Bottom face of the port side locking lug.

Figure 8.18 Bottom face of the starboard side locking lug.

Figure 8.19 Damage due to separation of the port side locking lug, and the lugs of the manual lock.

Figure 8.20 Damage on the visor aft bulkhead on the starboard side near the separated side locking lug.

Continues...