And what country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
Friday, May 31, 2019
Navy submarine “San Francisco”, after crashing into a rock underwater. The accident occurred in January 2015, 364 miles Southeast of Guam in the Pacific.
You can't use GPS at depth, but the subs' Inertial Navigation Systems are world-class. The Navy determined proper navigational procedures were not followed. The seamount that it struck at flank speed at a depth of 525' did not appear on the chart being used, but other charts showed that discolored water was seen at that location, suggesting the presence of a seamount. The area near the Caroline Islands was not well charted, so a lot more caution was in order. The captain was removed from command and received a letter of reprimand. 6 others received non-judicial punishment, reduction in rank, and letters of reprimand.
Yes, modern inertial nav is fantastic, providing it was correctly set in port before departure. The current spate of mishaps in the Navy point to a larger problem, deterioration in training standards and/or equipment maintenance.
While a regretable event it's ample evidence that the boat was very well built. Hitting solid rock at speed (flank speed for a modern sub is NOT slow) at depth and not sinking is proof of design and manufacturing process.
Aptly named (sigh).
ReplyDeleteSo apparently, despite billions of dollars, the Navy still hasn't put GPS and GoogleEarth onto nuclear submarines?
ReplyDeleteOne can but hope that this sort of thing ended a few naval careers.
You can't use GPS at depth, but the subs' Inertial Navigation Systems are world-class. The Navy determined proper navigational procedures were not followed. The seamount that it struck at flank speed at a depth of 525' did not appear on the chart being used, but other charts showed that discolored water was seen at that location, suggesting the presence of a seamount. The area near the Caroline Islands was not well charted, so a lot more caution was in order. The captain was removed from command and received a letter of reprimand. 6 others received non-judicial punishment, reduction in rank, and letters of reprimand.
DeleteWe're you ANAV on 758
DeleteI believe one crewman was killed as a result of the collision. Lets not forget operating a submarine at depth is risky.
ReplyDeleteSome sea mounts also grow over time...underwater volcanos and such. Like Mt Lasson under the ocean
ReplyDeleteYes, modern inertial nav is fantastic, providing it was correctly set in port before departure. The current spate of mishaps in the Navy point to a larger problem, deterioration in training standards and/or equipment maintenance.
ReplyDeleteIt happened in 2005 not 2015
ReplyDeleteWhile a regretable event it's ample evidence that the boat was very well built. Hitting solid rock at speed (flank speed for a modern sub is NOT slow) at depth and not sinking is proof of design and manufacturing process.
ReplyDelete