Long Beach seeks removal of decaying Soviet submarine

Long Beach officials have begun seeking contractor bids to remove a decaying Soviet-era B-427 attack submarine that has been moored next to the Queen Mary since 1998. The 299-foot vessel, launched in 1971 and decommissioned in 1994, was once a popular tourist attraction, drawing nearly 8,000 visitors monthly during peak periods. However, the vessel has been closed to the public since 2015 following a hull rupture that flooded a ballast tank.

The submarine’s ownership is currently unclear; the most recent known owner, Australia-based NEWCO Pty Ltd., dissolved in 2020. City officials have identified the vessel as an abandoned asset that poses risks to safety, water quality, and the structural integrity of the historic Queen Mary.

Removal presents significant logistical and environmental challenges. The deteriorating vessel contains asbestos piping and batteries, and its steel integrity is uncertain due to decades of saltwater exposure. Previous cost estimates for disposal ranged from $8.6 million for land removal to nearly $22 million for waterside disposal, though current costs are expected to be higher due to the vessel's continued decay.