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"The topside crew was still involved in that when the sub cleared the breakwater and exposed the topside crew to the full force of the sea conditions beyond the breakwater"

If this is true, it betrays a severe lapse in judgement.

"The topside crew was still involved in that (harbor pilot transfer) when the sub cleared the breakwater and exposed the topside crew to the full force of the sea conditions beyond the breakwater" .... Polybius

If this is true, it betrays a severe lapse in judgement...... spanalot

Escorted by a Ministry of Defence police inflatable and a pilot launch, the submarine edged along the coast into Plymouth Sound. Sailors prepared for the dive and all seemed to be going smoothly until the submarine rounded the mile-long breakwater that keeps the water behind it relatively smooth. The boat hit open sea at around 12.45pm. Visibility was poor with driving rain and fog. Winds of more than 50mph and a big swell meant the submarine was rocking violently. ........ But men were still on the narrow deck trying to get the pilot who had guided the boat through the sound off the boat. As waves washed across the deck, the four men plunged into the water. ..... The emergency call went out to the coastguard at 12.47pm. An RAF helicopter was scrambled and a lifeboat and tug raced to the scene. ........ What still puzzles submarine experts and detectives is why the pilot was being put off so late in such poor conditions. One rescuer said: "We were amazed they were still out there in those conditions." Detective Sergeant Richard Bailey, of Devon and Cornwall police, said: "The issue for us was why they were on the deck in such rough seas." The survivors, who were treated at an RAF base in Cornwall, were also unable to say.