A concerning incident involving a Royal Navy nuclear submarine recently came to light as reports emerged of the vessel descending to dangerous oceanic depths due to a malfunction in its depth gauges. The decades-old Vanguard class submarine, equipped with a Trident ballistic missile and manned by 140 crew members, experienced the malfunction while preparing for patrol duty in the Atlantic Ocean.
According to The Sun’s report, the submarine’s depth gauge malfunction led it to travel to perilous depths, prompting fears and concerns among the crew. The incident was only noticed and halted by engineers working at the rear of the vessel, who observed the accurate depth on a functioning gauge and raised an alarm.
While technically within operational depths, the vessel’s descent beyond the anticipated level sparked worry among crew members. The situation, had it continued, could have necessitated urgent action and posed significant risks.
The malfunction occurred as the depth indicators ceased working, misleading the submarine’s commanders into believing the vessel was stable. However, the actual descent persisted, raising considerable safety concerns.
Responding to inquiries, the Navy refrained from providing operational details, stating, “We do not comment on operations.” The incident underscores the critical role of precision instruments in naval operations, especially when handling vessels of such caliber.
The UK’s continuous at-sea deterrent, involving submarines carrying nuclear armaments, has been active since 1969. The Vanguard class submarines, crucial in this role, operate on a rotational basis. Plans for the future replacement fleet, the Dreadnought class submarines, are underway, scheduled to replace the existing fleet by the 2030s.
This incident highlights the intricacies and potential risks associated with maritime operations, emphasizing the need for rigorous maintenance and operational vigilance, particularly in submarines housing sensitive military equipment.
Sources By Agencies
