Non-Subscriber Extract
Lack of qualified sailors confines RNLN's Bruinvis to port
By Hans de Vreij
31 July 2007
The Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN) has halted operations with one of its four Walrus-class diesel-electric attack submarines for at least a year.
A navy spokesman said that HNLMS Bruinvis, the newest of the class, was confined to port due to a lack of qualified personnel.
The 2,800-ton submarine, which was commissioned in 1994, will remain berthed at Den Helder naval base for the time being.
Commander Richard Keulen, an RNLN spokesman, assured Jane's that the measure would not affect the operational capabilities of the Dutch submarine service.
"We are able to meet all current operational deployments with two submarines and still hold the capacity to sail the third submarine if deemed necessary," he said.
"In addition, the submarines will sail with the maximum possible number of crew, including trainees that need a certain period of time at sea to qualify for their operational tasks."
Cdr Keulen said that the lack of qualified personnel is mainly caused by experienced sailors taking up jobs in the commercial sector.