One of the Royal Navy's nuclear submarines limps back to port in Gibraltar after colliding with a merchant vessel.
HMS Ambush, an Astute-class submarine, was "submerged and conducting a training exercise" when it was involved in what the Ministry of Defence described as a "glancing collision" off the coast.
A spokesman said the incident happened at about 1.30pm local time on Wednesday, adding: "The submarine suffered some external damage but there is absolutely no damage to her nuclear plant and no member of the ship's company was injured in the incident.
"An immediate investigation is being conducted.
"There are no safety concerns associated with HMS Ambush being alongside."
They added: "We are in contact with the merchant vessel and initial indications are that it has not sustained damage."
The Astute class vessels cost more than £1bn each and weigh in at 7,400 tonnes.
They carry torpedoes, cruise missiles and the Royal Navy has previously said that HMS Ambush is equipped with "world-leading sensors".
When HMS Ambush was commissioned into the Navy in 2013, the then First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope, said it was part of a group of vessels that "represent the cutting edge of military technology and the future of UK submarine operations for many years to come".
Previous incidents involving the Navy's Astute class vessels
:: In 2010 HMS Astute ran aground near the Isle of Skye during a sea trial. It was marooned for several hours, and was also damaged in a collision with a tug, the Anglian Prince, which tried to free it. HMS Astute's then commander, Andy Coles, was later removed from being in charge of the vessel.
:: A year later Lieutenant Commander Ian Molyneux was killed by Able Seaman Ryan Donovan while HMS Astute was docked in Southampton. Lt Cdr Molyneux was shot dead while attempting to tackle Donovan, who ran amok with an assault rifle during a civic visit by Southampton's mayor.
0 comments:
Post a Comment