Sailor caught in rudder ram
Posted on 09/23/2008 1:50:03 PM PDT by esryle
A sailor who died Saturday after he was injured aboard the ballistic-missile submarine Nebraska had become “entangled and pinned” in the rudder ram during a cleaning evolution, according to the Naval Safety Center’s Web site.
The Navy was notifying the sailor’s next-of-kin and, as of Tuesday afternoon, had not yet released the victim’s name. The safety center Web site identified him as a third-class machinist’s mate.
Navy officials have not provided any details about the “apparent accident” as the boomer was operating off Oahu on Saturday.
“There was no damage to the submarine,” Lt. Cmdr. Dave Benham, a spokesman for Submarine Force Pacific, said Monday evening. “None of the other crew members were injured. The crew was brought into port to address the needs of the crew because of this tragedy” and to help in the investigations into the incident, Benham said.
He said it was premature to discuss what types of investigations will be conducted. Nebraska crew members rendered medical assistance before the sailor was taken off the submarine by medevac helicopter, but he died en route to the hospital, said Lt. Kyle Raines, a spokesman with Submarine Group Trident in Silverdale, Wash.
Somebody failed to tag something out, perhaps. RIP, shipmate.
Odd.
I hate hearing this type of story. Prayers to his family.
Yikes. RIP.
My thoughts exactly Bill...someone either didn’t properly run their red tags, or someone seriously (possibly criminally since a death is involved) violated red tag procedures.
Anyone who has ever sailed for the US Navy knows how serious those red tags are...
Sad story. I spent a fair amount of time in after steering as a master helmsman. Lots of potential for trouble for you’re not careful.
Perhaps a WA ping is in order? I think this boat may be homeported in Bangor.
Or many other hazardous tasks. Lockout/tagout was drilled in our heads in the hazwaste industry.
RIP sailor. What a tragic waste of a brave young man.
I can’t imagine tagging out the rudder at sea.
Tragedy at Sea Ping
May he rest in peace, and may God lift his loved ones, and help them carry this heavy load.
HEARTBREAKING.
ping
“But hear from heaven our sailor’s cry,
And grant eternal life on high.”
R.I.P., shipmate.
You don’t tag out the rudder. There are two rams per side, a forward and after starboard ram and a forward and after port ram. (Dealing from very distant memory here...) ;-)
Oh, that explains it. That is just really, really sad.
Two mistakes too many.
That was my first thought too. Someone messed up the lockout tagout procedure. Pretty terrible way to go. Prayers to his family.
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