Friday, October 22, 2010

Brit sub in a bit of a pickle ...


London, England (CNN) -- A recently-christened British submarine foundered off the coast of a Scottish island when it got caught in rocks, the Ministry of Defense said Friday.
"We are aware of an incident involving one of our submarines off the Isle of Skye," a spokesman told CNN.

"This is a not a nuclear incident. We are responding to the incident and can confirm that there are no injuries to personnel and the submarine remains watertight. There is no indication of any environmental impact."
The sub is HMS Astute, described by the ministry as Britain's "most powerful attack submarine."
The craft is a "highly complex feat of naval engineering" that is "at the very cutting-edge of technology, with a suite of sensors and weapons required to pack a powerful punch," the ministry said.

The submarine was undertaking sea trials when it ran aground. People were transported out of the craft. The ministry emphasized that only a part of the submarine was stuck.

The ministry said the sub can carry a mix of up to 38 Spearfish heavyweight torpedoes and Tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles.
Britain's Press Association reports that "it is understood that the submarine's crew is waiting for high tide so they could free the vessel."

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