A Royal Navy nuclear sub carrying 140 crew members and Trident 2 missiles narrowly escaped catastrophe when it started sinking in the direction of its crush depth within the Atlantic Ocean.
The submarine’s depth gauge failed, which signifies how far beneath the floor they’re, inflicting the vessel to unknowingly proceed diving in the direction of the ocean flooring. Engineers on board observed a second dial indicating the harmful descent and rapidly raised the alarm.
A supply advised The Sun: “It’s not the engineers’ job to control the sub’s depth but they saw how deep they were and realised something was wrong. Technically the sub was still at a depth where we know it can operate, but if it ever has to go that deep the whole crew is piped to action-stations.
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(Image: PA Wire/Press Association Images)
“That hadn’t happened. The sub wasn’t supposed to be there, and it was still diving. And if it had carried on going, it doesn’t really bear thinking about.”
The submarine and the depths concerned haven’t been disclosed on account of safety causes. However, the truth that a catastrophe was averted reveals that the security methods on the Vanguard-class vessel are working properly.
The Navy’s high brass has launched an pressing security investigation, however insiders say the shut name did not disrupt the UK’s nuclear deterrent. Since 1969, a minimum of one Royal Navy submarine has at all times been patrolling the world’s waters, able to retaliate if a catastrophic assault is launched towards the UK or its pursuits.
(Image: AFP through Getty Images)
Currently, the UK has 4 Vanguard-class submarines, with solely two operational as one is beneath renovation and the opposite present process sea trials. The latter just lately had repairs that went £300million over price range.
A spokesman for the Royal Navy said: “We do not comment on operations. Our submarines continue to be deployed globally, protecting national interests.”
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