Long Beach, California, is initiating steps to remove a decaying Soviet-era submarine, a Cold War relic that has been moored next to the historic ocean liner Queen Mary for over two decades. City officials are seeking proposals from contractors to address the logistics and significant costs associated with the disposal of the 299-foot vessel.
The submarine, identified as the B-427, was launched by the Soviet navy in 1971 and decommissioned in 1994. It was later acquired and brought to Long Beach in 1998, serving as a tourist attraction alongside the Queen Mary until 2015. During its operational period as a display, it attracted thousands of visitors monthly.
The vessel's status as a public attraction ended in 2015 when a hull rupture flooded a ballast tank, leading to its closure. Since then, the submarine has been deteriorating due to exposure to saltwater and weather, with rust and holes forming on its exterior. The city now considers the submarine an abandoned asset.
While Long Beach does not own the submarine, its ownership is unclear following the dissolution of the most recent registered owner, Australia-based NEWCO Pty Ltd., in 2020. This ambiguity complicates the removal process.
Estimates for the submarine's removal vary widely, with projections ranging from $8.6 million for land-based removal to nearly $22 million for water-based removal. The decision on the method of extraction will depend on several factors, including the vessel's condition and the potential environmental impact.
Marine construction and salvage experts note that the removal process must consider hazardous materials such as asbestos piping and batteries, as well as the thickness of the submarine's steel hull. Ralph Botticelli of Curtin Maritime Corp. stated that there is no standard procedure, and the chosen method will be based on safety, cost-effectiveness, and current conditions. "Thirty years in this business and I’ve never seen anything like this," Botticelli commented.