US submarine collides with ship in western Med

11.00am

WASHINGTON - The US nuclear-powered attack submarine Oklahoma City collided with a merchant ship in the western Mediterranean early on Wednesday, damaging the sub's sail and periscope but apparently causing no injuries, the Navy said.

The accident occurred around midday as the Oklahoma City was rising to periscope depth east of the Strait of Gibraltar. It apparently did not cause serious damage to the other vessel, which was not identified in a release from the headquarters of the US Sixth Fleet in Gaeta, Italy.

"The submarine surfaced and located a merchant vessel in close proximity," the release said.

"USS Oklahoma City attempted to make radio contact with the other vessel. However, the other vessel did not respond, did not appear to need assistance and departed the area," the release said. It said the warship continued to search the area for other vessels.

The Sixth Fleet said there were no injuries on the submarine and that damage appeared to be limited to the periscope and the "sail" command and control area atop the Oklahoma City.

The submarine will return to port for further inspection of damage and repairs, the Sixth Fleet said.

The Oklahoma City is 108.6m long, weighs 419 tonnes and carries a crew of up to 100 officers and enlisted men.

Submarines rarely collide with other ships, but a major incident occurred on February 9, 2001, when the attack sub USS Greenville smashed into a Japanese trawler near Hawaii, sinking the trawler and killing nine of those aboard the Japanese boat.

The commander of the Greenville was forced to retire from the Navy.

- REUTERS

Further reading
nzherald.co.nz/marine