Huge waves left submariners 'at risk' in Plymouth Sound, MoD has revealed
FOUR British submariners were put "at risk" when huge waves pounded their boat as they left Plymouth Sound, the Ministry of Defence has revealed.
One wave knocked an officer off his feet while three other personnel were left trapped in an exterior locker for half an hour.
The incident happened on the nuclear-powered submarine HMS Sovereign in February 2006 — 10 months before two US sailors were killed after being washed off the deck of the submarine, USS Minneapolis-St Paul — also in the Sound.
A US Navy report into the fatalities later complained that "related lessons learned" from the HMS Sovereign incident were never shared with Allies also using Devonport.
It is the first time the Ministry of Defence has published details of the incident involving the now decommissioned submarine.
"As the submarine exited the lee of the breakwater, the first of a number of large waves broke over the casing knocking the casing officer, who was then by the fin, off his feet and confining three personnel in the rope locker," it said.
"They were told to remain there by the executive officer for their own safety."
A rescue party was formed but after around half-an-hour, the freezing submariners were able to make their own way back into the vessel.
A Royal Navy medic said the casualties were "at risk of secondary drowning through the ingestion of seawater, shock and the effect of the cold".
Nearly two hours after the incident, the three were transferred to a naval medical facility in Devonport and were later treated in hospital.
A separate safety concluded the "unforeseen but predictable" conditions resulted in "significant hazard to personnel on the casing". The fact no local pilot was on board contributed to "a poor judgement" regarding safe swell/sea state limits.
A US Navy report blamed an experienced Plymouth pilot for giving the American crew "poor advice" and not sharing information about "potentially dangerous sea states" past Plymouth breakwater.
8 Comments
by Lin, city centre
Thursday, September 02 2010, 7:01AM
“The reason the Navy have withheld this information for so long is that allegedly there was litigation involving the trapped sailors and the CO. I don't think the public know the outcome of that.
Of course, CO's rarely get dismissed, they get reprimanded which often means promotion.”
by Mick, Barbican
Wednesday, September 01 2010, 7:07PM
“Glenn dry dock, quote- "Mick Barbican, you remind me of a group called ¿Simple Minds¿
If I was a sub captain I wouldn't be simple enough to set sail in a choppy sea with guys still on deck..;)”
by Glenn, Asander, Dry Dock, Santander, Spain.
Wednesday, September 01 2010, 5:36PM
“The sea needs to be respected at all times. She is beautiful most of the time, but like a Woman she can turn when least expected. I agree with all the previous comments except 1. No prizes for guessing who that is. Mick Barbican, you remind me of a group called ¿Simple Minds¿. Enough said.”
by Don McCullen, Torquay
Wednesday, September 01 2010, 3:16PM
“An interesting admission by the MOD and of course only half the story. It's true that working on these submarines is a hazardous occupation but one that is made more so by questionable decisions by their Commanders.
Strangely, this "revelation" by the MOD does not include the follow on story, in that the Captain of Sovereign was removed from his Command only a few short weeks later. Are the two incidents connected?”
by Dave, Callington
Wednesday, September 01 2010, 2:51PM
“I'm with Ian on this one, those Submariner boys know what they're doing. And he's right, the meek shall inherit the earth. The rest of us get the sea.”
by graham, stoke
Wednesday, September 01 2010, 11:13AM
“is the herald hell bent on seeing the navy out of plymouth, never has a good thing to say about the RN.
all the ropes should be in the casing already by then. and the wedges incerted”
by ian, Plymouth
Wednesday, September 01 2010, 10:25AM
“As a submarine leaves harbour there are numerous bits of equipment that are needed to be stowed away or got out. Capstans and rope guides have to be stowed back inside the outer casing and secured to preserve the smooth outer hull. Ropes secured in undercasing lockers. Usually this work is done without incident and wearing all the proper equipment lifejackets, immersion suits and where practical safety harnesses. Usually this dangerous work goes on without incident, unfortuneately the unpredictable SEA can soon change that.
Armed forces dangerous occupation thats why not everyone can do it.”
by Mick, Barbican
Wednesday, September 01 2010, 9:44AM
“Why were they walking around on the deck anyway?”