Close Call: 140 British Nuclear Submarine Crews Cheat Death In Depth Gauge Malfunction
Due to incorrect depth readings caused by a malfunction in the depth gauge equipment, the crew of the British Navy's Vanguard-class nuclear submarine was unaware that their submarine was descending to depths characterized as "extremely dangerous."
(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — 140 crew members of the British Navy’s Vanguard-class nuclear submarine narrowly avoided disaster as their submarine unknowingly plunged into dangerous depths due to a malfunction in depth measurement equipment.
As revealed by sources to The Sun, the Vanguard-class nuclear submarine, equipped with intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) Trident 2, was on a patrol mission in the Atlantic Ocean.
The newspaper declined to disclose the identity of the Vanguard-class nuclear submarine for national security reasons.
However, senior officials from the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defense confirmed that an investigation is underway regarding the incident.
The incident occurred during a patrol in the Atlantic Ocean when the crew of the British nuclear submarine failed to realize that the depth measurement equipment on the submarine was damaged, providing inaccurate readings about the depth.
Due to the incorrect depth readings caused by the damaged equipment, the crew of the Vanguard-class submarine was unaware that their submarine was descending to what was described as “extremely dangerous” depths.
According to the newspaper, a tragedy was averted due to the last-minute actions of an engineer aboard the submarine.
“Using backup depth measurement equipment, the submarine crew successfully prevented the submarine from descending further into dangerous depths and corrected its position,” stated the British newspaper.
According to the newspaper’s sources, the incident occurred while the nuclear submarine was still at an operational depth, but due to the malfunction in the depth measurement equipment, the submarine was descending into “dangerous” depths.
If the British nuclear submarine had continued to descend due to the incorrect depth readings, the newspaper suggests it could have faced a potentially disastrous situation, risking the lives of all 140 crew members.
According to information from open sources, Vanguard-class nuclear submarines have the capability to dive up to a depth of 500 meters.
However, the actual depth they are capable of reaching is believed to be a closely guarded secret.
The United Kingdom introduced the Vanguard-class nuclear submarines in 1994 as part of the Trident nuclear missile program.
Each Vanguard-class nuclear submarine has the capability to carry up to 16 Trident intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) with a range of up to 13,000 km.
The British Navy has four Vanguard-class nuclear submarines, namely HMS Vanguard, HMS Vengeance, HMS Victorious, and HMS Vigilant, which are currently on operations to safeguard the interests of the United Kingdom.
All four submarines were built between 1986 and 1999 by Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering (now owned by BAE Systems).
All Vanguard-class nuclear submarines are based at HM Naval Base Clyde in West Glasgow, Scotland. — DSA
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