Congresswoman Chellie says she's optimistic sub can be repaired in Kittery

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, said this morning that Navy officials have told her that that preliminary estimates for repair to the USS Miami are in the $400 million range.

"There is still a lot more to be done to really determine the extent of the damage to the Miami, but Navy officials we've been in touch with say they think we're looking at something in the $400 million range," Pingree said. "That number certainly could change but I think it's a workable figure and I'm optimistic that this means the boat is repairable, that the work can be done at Kittery and the Navy will be able to come up with the money for the repair."

Yesterday, Pingree was the first public official to go onboard the Miami and inspect the damage from a fire last month.

"When I was at the yard yesterday, every indication I got from the workers there was that they could fix the Miami. Nothing is official yet, but this preliminary estimate gives us more reason to believe the ship will be repaired right here in Kittery."

News coverage from Chellie's visit to the yard yesterday