nuclear-news

Nuclear ballistic missile submarine almost hit cargo vessel

Nuclear sub narrowly avoided collision in Strait of Juan de Fuca, newspaper reports By Tom Callis, 25 Dec 1 Peninsula Daily News PORT ANGELES — A nuclear-powered submarine narrowly avoided colliding with a cargo ship in the Strait of Juan de Fuca in October, according to the Navy Times.

The newspaper reported Wednesday that the USS Kentucky, a ballistic-missile sub based at Bangor, was traveling at periscope depth when it came within 900 yards of a 839-foot-long cargo ship on Oct. 12. The officer of the deck had failed to check for other vessels while
making a course change, the Navy Times said. Both ships turned to avoid colliding…

…The newspaper did not say where in the Strait the incident occurred. In an email, a Navy spokesman declined to provide the location or additional information, adding “it is U.S. Navy policy not to discuss specific submarine operations.”

Coast Guard spokespeople could not be reached for comment Saturday. Nosse was relieved of his position in October after the incident and reassigned to Submarine Group 9, the newspaper said……. The newspaper said the control room had a made series of accumulating
errors, including confusing the inbound cargo ship as an outgoing vessel, and the commanding officer, concerned about a trawler, ordering a change of course but not saying in which direction…..  http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20111225/news/312259992/nuclear-sub-narrowly-avoided-collision-in-strait-of-juan-de-fuca

December 26, 2011 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | incidents, USA