On January 16, 1982, near midnight, the “mini-sub,” a Navy Seal delivery vehicle (SDV) involved in a classified mission off the coast of the Philippines, returned to its host submarine USS Grayback (LPSS-574). After stowing the SDV, USS Grayback’s support divers and the SDV crew (six team members total) remained within the flooded wet side starboard hangar preparing to shut the outer hangar door and drain and vent the hangar prior to re-entering the submarine.
Soon the wet-side divers felt dizzy and short of breath. One operator checked vent valve position but couldn’t open the valve any farther. Later, someone keyed the wet-side communication microphone but didn’t speak. Five of the six divers passed out and fell into the water. One diver managed to hook his arm over a pipe to avoid falling before he also passed out. The dry-side operators attempted microphone and tap signal communications. After several more minutes of communications attempts, the diver whom had hooked his arm on a pipe began to revive and reported that he needed help. Dry-side operators then entered the hangar and found that five of the six divers had died.
Charles Wayne Bloomer, Rodney Lee Fitz, William C. Robinson, Leslie C. Shelton, and Richard D. Bond lost their lives that night.
A formal investigation revealed several design flaws as well as personnel training, maintenance and operation issues in the USS Grayback diver transfer system. It was concluded that a wet-side operator had opened the vent valve only partway, causing a vacuum to form.
Contributing factors included:
•Neither the vent valve, nor its operating linkage, had been lubricated properly
•Those who claimed to have done greasing maintenance didn’t know a fitting existed for greasing the vent valve
•Other grease fittings in the hangar were painted over or rusted shut
•17 gauges were overdue for calibration and another one was missing
•Hangar drain procedures had not been submitted to NAVSEA for approval; mandated changes to other procedures had not been made.
•Two senior watches were often combined, in violation of procedures
•Diver personnel had received less than 1-1/2 hours of diving training in the previous six months
•Not all participating divers had attended the pre-dive brief
Each one of these factors wasn’t catastrophic by itself, but when combined led to a tragedy.
Tragic events in January 1982 resulted in the creation of the Deep Submergence Systems (DSS) Certification Program (commonly referred to as DSS-SOC). The Navy now requires that all diving systems be designed to prevent or minimize the possibility of unintentionally causing a vacuum, and hazard and safety analyses are required during design. Additional work and material requirements are required during new construction and maintenance on DSS-SOC systems and components.
Thirty-eight years later, we as shipbuilders commemorate the anniversary of this tragedy by continuing to apply lessons learned and share the story of the men that lost their lives aboard the USS Grayback.
Today, the DSS certification process provides maximum reasonable assurance that a material or procedural failure that could imperil the operators or occupants will not occur, and that DSS personnel may be recovered without injury if there is an accident. The most current requirements are contained in the System Certification Procedures and Criteria Manual for Deep Submergence Systems, NAVSEA SS800-AG-MAN-010/P-9290 available on the DSS-SOC Program website.
As members of the EB Team, our challenge and responsibility is to maintain the high level of the standards established by the DSS Certification Program during design, new construction and maintenance work. Compliance with procedures is critical. Attention to detail, regardless of the task, should be the mindset we have with anything we do associated with diver safety. A questioning attitude is critical—am I using the correct lubricant? Did I maintain cleanliness of the breathing systems? Is my work task in the DSS-SOC boundary? Did I only use DSS-approved materials? Would I trust my life to this work?
Pathways to the Deep Officially Opens at Mystic Aquarium
On Monday, May 11th, we officially cut the ribbon on Pathways to the Deep, a brand-new interactive exhibit at Mystic Aquarium that connects ocean science, technology, exploration and careers through hands-on learning and discovery. This collaborative effort between General Dynamics Electric Boat, Mystic Aquarium, the Submarine Industrial Base and Build Submarines was created to spark curiosity and...Continue reading→
Electric Boat featured in ADC’s ‘Homefront’ Video Series
General Dynamics Electric Boat is featured in the latest episode of the Association of Defense Communities’ (ADC) Homefront video series, which examines military communities across the country. The episode highlights Electric Boat’s long-standing partnership with the U.S. Navy, the generations of shipbuilders who power our mission and the opportunities ahead for the next wave of...Continue reading→
Rayha Report Ep. 19: Operations Leadership Hiring Initiative
In his latest Rayha Report, EB President Mark Rayha speaks with Chief of Talent Acquisition Meredith Kyle on the ways the company is boosting operations leadership hiring. Joining them is Konrad Wennberg and Mike Simmons, who provide insight on their internal moves from engineering to operations supervisor positions.
Lauren Knapp Honored with Victoria Soto Memorial Award
We are proud to celebrate Lauren Knapp for being named a recipient of the prestigious Victoria Soto Memorial Award, presented by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Connecticut. This recognition highlights Lauren’s exceptional commitment to mentorship, community engagement and making a meaningful difference in the lives of young people. The Victoria Soto Memorial Award honors individuals...Continue reading→
EB Kicks Off 2026 HeartStrong Campaign to Support Community Heart Health
Electric Boat is proud to launch the 2026 Heart Walk campaign in support of the American Heart Association and its mission to build a stronger, healthier Eastern Connecticut community. This year, EB is honored to serve as the Signature Sponsor of the walk and the Onsite CPR Experience Sponsor, reinforcing our ongoing commitment to...Continue reading→
Congratulations to Cheyne Ordonio, Winner of the 2026 High Five Coin Design Contest
We are pleased to announce Department 962 employee, Cheyne Ordonio, as the Winner of the first-ever High Five Coin Design Contest. Cheyne was inspired to join the contest as he himself has a coin collection, including challenge coins, old coins from the past, a three-cent piece, several silver dollars and half dollars as well as...Continue reading→
Groundbreaking Ceremony Held for New Warehouse in North Stonington
Electric Boat broke ground Wednesday on a new warehouse that will support shipbuilding operations in Groton and Quonset Point. The 480,000‑square‑foot facility, located at 45 Frontage Road in North Stonington, will streamline how material moves across different work sites. Electric Boat purchased the 55‑acre property from the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation in 2025. The project...Continue reading→
Lessons From the Loss of USS Thresher (SSN 593) on April 10, 1963
Photo by EB Employee Patrick “Pat” M. McCarthy, Principal Program Representative, Quality (D421). Electric Boat Shipbuilders, On the morning of April 10,1963, USS Thresher began her deep dive in 8,400 feet of water 220 miles off Cape Cod. During the dive, an unexpected message was received by USS Skylark, her escort ship: “Experiencing minor difficulties,...Continue reading→
Rayha Report Ep. 18: CT and RI Legislative Briefings
EB President Mark Rayha delivered Legislative Briefings to congressional delegations and local leaders in Connecticut and Rhode Island on Monday, March 23. See the latest installment of the Rayha Report for a recap of the events.
Rayha Report Ep. 17: Impact of EB’s Donation to the Gemma E. Moran United Way/Labor Food Center
L-R: M. Rayha, A. Stockton, D. Sears-Graves In the latest installment of the Rayha Report, EB President Mark Rayha speaks with Anne Stockton, VP of the Gemma E. Moran United Way/Labor Food Center, and Dina Sears-Graves, President and CEO of the United Way of Southeastern Connecticut, about the positive impact EB’s recent donation has had on...Continue reading→
