Submarine fire could have ripple effects for fleet

The Navy is evaluating whether it's worth spending millions of dollars to repair the Miami, the nuclear-powered submarine damaged in a fire in a Maine shipyard.

If the submarine is scrapped, the fleet could feel the effects for years. The number of attack submarines like the Miami is projected to drop as they are deactivated faster than they are replaced, and Navy leaders already have been trying to find new ways to keep up with demands from combatant commanders.

"It's strained now," said Rep. Joe Courtney, a Democrat whose eastern Connecticut district includes the Miami's homeport of Groton. "With one less boat, it's just going to aggravate that strain."

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