Posted on 05/09/2005 9:31:03 PM PDT by Former Military Chick
The crew of a US submarine that ran aground in the Pacific Ocean in January did not adequately review navigation charts, a Navy report says. The grounding could have been avoided if the crew had observed "prudent navigation practices", it says.
A sailor died and several were injured in the accident 600km (350 miles) south of the island of Guam, one of the most important US Pacific bases.
The nuclear reactor on the USS San Francisco was not damaged.
Data not transferred
The vessel was on its way to Australia, when it ran aground and suffered severe external damage.
The submarine hit a mountain while submerged 157m (525 feet) below the ocean's surface.
The mountain did not appear on the chart being used for navigation.
But other charts displayed "a navigation hazard in the vicinity of the grounding", the US Navy's 124-page report said.
It blamed the team for not reviewing those charts adequately and for not transferring "pertinent data" to the chart being used for navigation.
"Even if not wholly avoided, however, the grounding would not have been as severe and loss of life may have been prevented," the report said.
The Los Angeles-class submarines are 109.73m (360 ft) long and are classed as attack vessels, designed to counter enemy submarines or surface vessels. They are equipped with a single nuclear reactor.
The heads have already rolled. Captain Mooney was relieved and reprimanded, so he's through driving submarines. He'll retire in a year or so. Several others got other forms of NJP.
OTOH, several of the crew were awarded medals and other attaboys for their heroics following the crash. CDR Mooney and his crew saved the boat and the lives of all but one.
While not a duplicate, it's basically the same as the May 7 article by James Song.
They tried hard not to but I would submit that the name Clayton Hartwig should ring a bell or two.
I had almost forgotten about that. The Navy tried it's best to ruin that sailor. Thanks for helping me prove my point.
It is the courteous way to do things.
What the heck I will do it for you.
BTW, SmithL you are a class act for not rubbing my nose that I had posted a more up to date but similar article.
You mean the Song remains the same?
Mrs. SlowBoat's nose crinkles up all cute when it's rubbed.
Skipper of grounded ship removed from command
USS Patriot remains in dry dock following March 19 incident
By Greg Tyler, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Monday, May 9, 2005
SASEBO NAVAL BASE, Japan — Citing a loss of confidence, Rear Adm. Victor Guillory, Amphibious Force 7th Fleet commander, removed from command Lt. Cmdr. Mike Little, skipper of the mine countermeasure ship USS Patriot.
Little also received a punitive letter of reprimand from Guillory as part of the nonjudicial punishment administered in Sasebo, 7th Fleet officials stated in a release.
The lieutenant commander’s punishment follows a Judge Advocate General’s investigation into the grounding of the Patriot on March 19 near Chinhae Bay, South Korea. The incident, in which no injuries were reported, caused serious damage to the wooden hull and underwater sonar, the release said.
The Patriot, a 224-foot ship with a crew of 86 sailors, is still in dry dock receiving repairs. It and the mine countermeasure ship USS Guardian constitute Mine Countermeasures Division Eleven. Cmdr. Kurt E. Hedberg, the division’s commander, assumed the duties as Patriot’s commanding officer.
Little was reassigned to the Sasebo shore command’s headquarters staff.
I recall seeing training on the VMS as one of the issues in an earlier article. As a provider of training in navigation, that one got my interest.
Anybody want to bet, even though this was the "crew's fault", that the Navy is scrubbing all it's underwater charts?
I meant no offense, and do not know how to do that, I am sorry.
I agree with your synosis. Bravo to the Captain and a raspberry to the Navy Brass for making him a scapegoat.
Here is a link that discusses how to post a link to another address on the net.
Have any questions feel free to Freepmail me and I will do what I can to assist.
Thank you very much for the link. I saved it in my favorites, and downloaded it into a word file. I believe that moderator approves of your thread now, I was just thinking that it was asmost exactly the same info as the one yesterday, altho different articles.
Good to know! :)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.