Collier, now an environmental engineer at a former nuclear weapons plant, supervised emergency training on the U.S.S. Baton Rouge. He operated nuclear propulsion systems on two others. Collier devised disaster simulations during underwater missions. For smoke, he would make the crew operate the sub blindfolded or wearing hoods. For explosions, he pulsed water through the torpedo tubes to rock the vessel.
Submariners are like iron.
But this is no drill. It's sea floor-dark. Russian officials say the sub's nuclear reactors were turned off or failed after the accident. The sub's large batteries would be drained within two or three days. Electric lanterns and flashlights probably have dimmed, too.