SUBSAFE
SUBSAFE is a quality assurance program for the United States Navy nuclear submarines .
SUBSAFE was launched in 1963 after the sinking of the USS Thresher (SSN-593) . All submarine systems exposed to water pressure were checked during the program and revised if necessary. The materials used, for example, for welding pipelines were also checked. The break of such a line is considered to be the trigger for the downfall of the Thresher .
All nuclear submarines that were already in service or under construction had to be SUBSAFE certified , which among other things resulted in longer stays in the shipyard and thus high costs. However, the measures taken were effective, as no more certified submarines were lost. The USS Scorpion (SSN-589) , which sank in 1968, had not yet received the overhaul.
In September 1967 the USS Skate (SSN-578) completed the conversion and certification as the first submarine.