A Royal Navy submarine, equipped with Trident nuclear missiles, has reportedly suffered a major malfunction that caused the vessel to plunge toward its crushing depth.
The Vanguard-class submarine was carrying 140 crew members when its depth gauge suddenly failed during a mission in the Atlantic.
It caused a frantic fight in which engineers managed to prevent the submarine and its nuclear reactor from sinking any further moments before disaster struck.
The deep-sea ship, carrying Trident 2 missiles, was on patrol when its depth gauges stopped working, and its crew falsely believed it was level when it was actually diving deeper into the ocean.
Only when engineers at the rear of the submarine found a second indicator indicating they were heading toward the “danger zone” did they sound the alarm.
The Vanguard-class submarine was reportedly carrying 140 crew members when its depth gauge suddenly failed while on a mission in the Atlantic. In the photo: Trident nuclear submarine HMS Vanguard
Vanguard submarines are capable of holding 192 nuclear warheads, but are currently allowed to hold a maximum of 48.
“It’s not the engineers’ job to control the depth of the submarine, but they saw how deep they were and realized something was wrong,” one source said. Sun.
‘Technically, the submarine was still at a depth where we know it can operate, but if it ever has to reach that depth, the entire crew is sent to action stations.
‘That hadn’t happened. The submarine was not supposed to be there and kept diving. And if it had continued like this, it’s not worth thinking about.
Although the depth the submarine reached is unknown, the maximum operational depth of this type of vessel is around 500 meters, according to Military Today.
The incident prompted an immediate investigation, sources told the newspaper, adding that it did not affect the UK’s nuclear deterrent.
It is unknown which of the Navy’s four Vanguard-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines were involved in the ordeal.
The force’s four ships (HMS Vanguard, Vengeance, Victorious and Vigilant) each displace 15,900 tonnes when submerged and are more than 149 meters in length.
Since 1969, at least one Royal Navy submarine carrying nuclear missiles has been on patrol in case of a sudden attack.
However, only two of the vessels are currently operational, as one is being refitted and the other is undergoing sea trials.
Since 1969, at least one Royal Navy submarine carrying nuclear missiles has been on patrol in case of a sudden attack.
Vanguard submarines are capable of holding 192 nuclear warheads, but are currently allowed to hold a maximum of 48.
A Royal Navy spokesperson said: “Our submarines continue to deliver on their commitments, deploying globally on operations, protecting national interests and keeping us and our allies safe.”
“While we do not comment on specific details regarding underwater operations, the safety of our personnel is always the top priority.”
