US Nuclear sub runs aground in Pacific

[GTaudiophile]

CNN) -- U.S. Coast Guard and military aircraft Saturday are en route to the western Pacific, where a nuclear attack submarine ran aground, injuring several crew members -- including at least one critically -- according to the U.S. Pacific Fleet.

The USS San Francisco ran aground some 350 miles south of Guam -- the nearest land mass -- while it was conducting submerged operations. It has since resurfaced and is heading back to Guam, according to the USPF's news release.

"At this point there does not seem to be damage to the (nuclear) reactor," Lt. j.g. Adam Clampitt told CNN, from his base in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

The accident happened Saturday at noon, Guam time (Friday 9 p.m. ET, 4 p.m. Hawaii time).

The nuclear-powered vessel is a Los Angeles-class "fast attack" submarine. Clampitt says it was carrying four torpedo-tubes, which can launch Tomahawk cruise missiles. It is the most common type of U.S. attack submarine in the naval fleet since 2004.

Clampitt said there are 137 crew members on board the USS San Francisco.

The nuclear submarine has a "limited medical staff on board," he said. Most of the wounded suffered head injuries, Clampitt said.

"Our first concern is the safety of the crew," Clampitt said.

The aircraft are bringing medical staff and investigators to assess the extent of the injuries and damage to the submarine.


Text

 

[So]

Was the sonar guy asleep at the switch or something? 😕

This sounds like something straight out of a terrible Leslie Neilsen comedy.

 

[flxnimprtmscl]

someone's getting relieved of command.

 

[Amused]

Well, they do have to drive blind. I'm surprised it doesn't happen more often. Every time I try to drive blind I hit something 😉

 

[AndrewR]

Originally posted by: flxnimprtmscl
someone's getting relieved of command.

For good reason.

 

[jjones]

Originally posted by: flxnimprtmscl
someone's getting relieved of command.

My first thought.

 

[Tylanner]

I'm telling you, those things need windows 😛

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: Tylanner
I'm telling you, those things need windows 😛

My first thought.

 

[sniperruff]

i wonder what submerged operations is a attack nuclear submarine doing in the pacific?

meanwhile i see my tax money getting flushed down the toilet and realized that i don't have medical insurance, MTA is planning another fare hike, and remembered my old high school is still sinking into the ground at E15 street.

 

[djheater]

"Show me your Nuclear Wessels"

 

[Tylanner]

Originally posted by: sniperruff
i wonder what submerged operations is a attack nuclear submarine doing in the pacific?

Looking for the tsunami(s) responsible.

 

[sniperruff]

Originally posted by: Tylanner

Originally posted by: sniperruff
i wonder what submerged operations is a attack nuclear submarine doing in the pacific?

Looking for the tsunami(s) responsible.

a "fast attack" type submarine with torpedos? i guess they have to defend against sharks/whales?

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: sniperruff
i wonder what submerged operations is a attack nuclear submarine doing in the pacific?

meanwhile i see my tax money getting flushed down the toilet and realized that i don't have medical insurance

Why is this the governement's problem or responsibility?

MTA is planning another fare hike, and remembered my old high school is still sinking into the ground at E15 street.

Both funded by LOCAL and STATE taxes (as they should be). You're bitching up the wrong tree.

 

[sandorski]

Originally posted by: Tylanner
I'm telling you, those things need windows 😛

With screens to keep the small fish out!

 

[Chaotic42]

Originally posted by: sniperruff
i wonder what submerged operations is a attack nuclear submarine doing in the pacific?

Submarines tend to be more effective submerged.

 

[KingNothing]

Originally posted by: sniperruff

Originally posted by: Tylanner

Originally posted by: sniperruff
i wonder what submerged operations is a attack nuclear submarine doing in the pacific?

Looking for the tsunami(s) responsible.

a "fast attack" type submarine with torpedos? i guess they have to defend against sharks/whales?

The article doesn't say it was carrying torpeodes, only torpedo "tubes".

 

[Armitage]

Originally posted by: sniperruff

Originally posted by: Tylanner

Originally posted by: sniperruff
i wonder what submerged operations is a attack nuclear submarine doing in the pacific?

Looking for the tsunami(s) responsible.

a "fast attack" type submarine with torpedos? i guess they have to defend against sharks/whales?

Uhm ... maybe to sink enemy submarines & ships? What would you propose they do? Ram them?

 

[GTaudiophile]

I frankly sleep well at night knowing our subs are out there, undetectable, and ready to nuke any country seen fit.

 

[ScottMac]

There's basically two kinds of subs in the fleet: Fast Attack and Missile boats ("Boomers").

Fast attacks are smaller & faster and generally patrol, stopping periodically on-station to listen to what's going on . They are the "hunter" subs and much of their mission is to find & trail other boats & subs (and if the occasion warrants, shoot at them).

Missle subs don't generally patrol. They go to an assigned point and sit there for a while (days, weeks), then move to the next station point.

Neither routinly uses "active" sonar (the "ping" you always hear in the movies). To do so would reveal their location. On occaisonal-to-rare situations, they will "go active" and send a/some pings for location & ranging.

Subs rely on initertial navigation and extremely accurate oceanic maps to steer clear of obstacles.

Chances are the problem was cused by a US$0.50 part purchased from the lowest bidder that failed.

If you want to hear in "interesting" story sometime, ask a bubblehead about purging the septic tanks while on patrol (generally submerged "pretty deep" and under alot of hydraulic pressure).

FWIW

Scott

 

[tk149]

Originally posted by: ScottMac
If you want to hear in "interesting" story sometime, ask a bubblehead about purging the septic tanks while on patrol (generally submerged "pretty deep" and under alot of hydrolic pressure).

Ok, I'll bite. Bubblehead, what's this I hear about purging septic tanks?

 

[chasem]

bubblehead, let us know

 

[everman]

Originally posted by: tk149

Originally posted by: ScottMac
If you want to hear in "interesting" story sometime, ask a bubblehead about purging the septic tanks while on patrol (generally submerged "pretty deep" and under alot of hydrolic pressure).

Ok, I'll bite. Bubblehead, what's this I hear about purging septic tanks?

 

[FoBoT]

Originally posted by: So
Was the sonar guy asleep at the switch or something? 😕

the bottom of the ocean doesn't make any noise, so avoiding the bottom isn't sonar's job

the navigator is the guy they'll fry

 

[FoBoT]

Originally posted by: sniperruff
i wonder what submerged operations is a attack nuclear submarine doing in the pacific?

meanwhile i see my tax money getting flushed down the toilet and realized that i don't have medical insurance, MTA is planning another fare hike, and remembered my old high school is still sinking into the ground at E15 street.

:disgust:

yeah, the defense of the US isn't the govt. main priority :disgust:

 

[Tom]

how can a sub run aground in the Pacific ?

The Pacific is made out of water, isn't it ?