Nuclear Sub Damaged After Hitting Rocks

[Lex]

A British nuclear-powered submarine has crashed into rocks in the Red Sea, damaging its sonar equipment.

HMS Superb was forced to surface after hitting an underwater rock yesterday.
But the Ministry of Defence has said the sub's nuclear reactor has survived "completely unaffected".

Superb, a Swiftsure-class attack submarine with a crew of 112, hit the underwater pinnacle 80 miles south of Suez.
No one on board was hurt, the submarine was not taking on water and there was "no environmental impact" from the collision.

The 272ft vessel had passed through the canal and was in the northern Red Sea when she grounded. No other vessel was involved.
A spokesperson for the MoD said: "There were no casualties and the submarine remains watertight, is safe on the surface and able to operate under her own power."

The vessel is in international waters but unable to dive because of the damage to its sonar. The Royal Navy is examining ways to return the vessel to port.

A full investigation is being carried out and a Board of Inquiry will follow. The crew's next of kin are being informed, the MoD said.
According to the Royal Navy website, Superb's commanding officer is Commander Steve Drysdale from Miskin, near Cardiff.

HMS Superb was built by Vickers Shipbuilding at Barrow, Cumbria, and commissioned in 1976. In 2001 she was deployed in support of operations in Afghanistan.

Sky News, Updated:09:56, Wednesday May 28, 2008