Navy Reassigns Commander of Submarine That Ran Aground in Pacific

TBO.COM ^

[Sub-Driver]

Navy Reassigns Commander of Submarine That Ran Aground in Pacific The Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Navy has reassigned the commander of an attack submarine that ran aground Jan. 8 in the western Pacific Ocean, officials said Thursday.

Cmdr. Kevin Mooney, who commanded the USS San Francisco, was reassigned to a unit in Guam pending the completion of the investigation into the crash, a statement from the U.S. 7th Fleet said. Vice Adm. Jonathan W. Greenert, the fleet's commander, ordered Mooney's removal from command.

The nuclear-powered San Francisco was on its way to Australia when it struck an undersea mass of rock that was not on the ship's charts. Machinist Mate 2nd Class Joseph Allen Ashley, 24, of Akron, Ohio, died of injuries suffered during the crash, and 23 other members of the crew were injured. The submarine was conducting underwater operations about 350 miles south of Guam.

The submarine has a crew of 137. The vessel sustained severe damage, but the vessel's nuclear reactor was unaffected.

[Americanwolfsbrother]

Ping - I owe you a soda!

[Zavien Doombringer]

The nuclear-powered San Francisco was on its way to Australia when it struck an undersea mass of rock that was not on the ship's charts.

So it's the Commander's responcibility?

How about the Earthquake in Sumatra caused a rift to rise up in that location? Yes it is another disaster at see, but the responcibilty isn't on the Commander in this one.

He is responcible for his ship, not for mother nature.

[Sola Veritas]

The commanding officer of a U.S. naval vessel is ultimately responsible for everything that happens on his vessel. That is the way it has always been.

In the USN the buck trully stops with the Captain of a vessel.

[ProudVet77]

Part of the reason a skipper is relieved is to allow the crew a chance to have a new skipper. If it turns out that the mt did appear where it wasn't before, I'd say his career is not over. He may not get another command right away, it would depend on how long he was in command already.

[Arkinsaw]

So it's the Commander's responcibility?

How about the Earthquake in Sumatra caused a rift to rise up in that location? Yes it is another disaster at see, but the responcibilty isn't on the Commander in this one.

He is responcible for his ship, not for mother nature.

Where did you get the idea that the earthquake in Sumatra caused the sea floor to jump up and hit the submarine? The earthquake had absolutely nothing to do with the underwater mountain the sub hit.

In the Navy, any commander who runs aground has some serious career damage whether its his fault or not. Too many good people who haven't run aground looking for sea duty.

[spokeshave]

I read that there were some satellite pics that showed the ridge but were never communicated to the field commanders

[thombo]

Even if the"mass of undersea rocks" was uncharted, who was manning the sonar? Do sub commanders rely completely on charts when navigating?

[Zavien Doombringer]

You obviously have no concept at geology...

Sea mounts can and do appear out of nowhere. The sub wasn't in the area during the earthquake, but a result from that earthquake could be a new seamount that wouldn't have been on the charts.

If you were in a boat with no windows and had to drive blind relying on accurate charts. Who's fault is it, the chart or the chart maker?

[G.Mason]

No entry found for responcible.

Did you mean responsible?

[ProudVet77]

Interesting. I think we're just going to have to wait to find out. Problem is the sub service is so secretive we may never know.

[Zavien Doombringer]

Hmmm, nit picking my spelling? You missed "see" for Sea..

[Clive]

It happened on his watch.

He has to be re-assigned until a board of inquiry either holds him responsible or clears him.

[G.Mason]

"The commanding officer of a U.S. naval vessel is ultimately responsible for everything that happens on his vessel."

Exactly!

There will be no "Act of God" decision in this hearing. ;)

[Zavien Doombringer]

Ok, I can see an arguement on "his watch", No one was relieved of duty when the Tortuga ended up on shoals near Puetro Rico, and those were charted, they hit it at low tide!

[rellimpank]

--"You obviously have no concept at geology..."

Neither do you--

[Zavien Doombringer]

And you are?....

[Zavien Doombringer]

Are you to imply that you know me enough to say I don't know ANYTHING about Geology and Plate Tetonics?

Wow, that's bold...

Nice to have met you...

[G.Mason]

"Hmmm, nit picking my spelling? You missed "see" for Sea.."

Actually, no.

Inasmuch as you repeated a form of the word three times, or so, I thought you would like to know.

Being the worlds worse speller, I click a suspected word into google, while typing my idiotic replies and it usually corrects it for me.

However, if you wish to be pissed at me for the ping, that's okay too. ;)

[exnavy]

This is really just SOP.