Victorians will see the submarine HMCS Chicoutimi around Ogden Point for the next few days as it undergoes testing before returning to service later this year.

“Camber dives occur in protected harbours with water deep enough to submerge,” said Lt. Paul Pendergast from navy public affairs.

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He said this round of testing is to make sure the vessel is watertight and the equipment is working. It will likely wrap up Friday. The submarine will then return to Esquimalt Harbour, where a crew of 53 is training to serve on it.

“You will be able to see the sub out in the coming months. It will be visible from Saxe Point and Clover Point periodically,” Pendergast said.

Chicoutimi is a secondhand Victoria-class submarine bought from the British Royal Navy and handed over to the Royal Canadian Navy in 2004 — a controversial move that drew criticism.

On Oct. 5 that year, Chicoutimi was bound for its new home base in Nova Scotia when an electrical short caused a fire on board. Three sailors suffered severe smoke inhalation. One of them, 32-year-old Lt. Chris Saunders, died.

After five years in drydock in Halifax, Chicoutimi was transported to Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt in 2009 to be rebuilt at Victoria Shipyards.

It undocked and was in the water Nov. 26, 2013, and will continue operational testing before returning to work.

“All these tests and trials lead to certification,” Pendergast said.

Other Canadian Navy submarines have had troubles.

In 2011, HMCS Corner Brook ran aground while doing officer training in Nootka Sound. It has been awaiting work at CFB Esquimalt while Chicoutimi has been under repair.

HMCS Windsor, on the East Coast, is on limited duty after losing one of its generators.

HMCS Victoria, the navy’s only current working submarine, has participated in several international training exercises, which might be an indication of what Chicoutimi will be doing once it returns to service.

spetrescu@timescolonist.com