Freed submarine heads back to base for checks
A British nuclear-powered submarine that ran aground off the coast of Scotland was making its way back to base for further checks today.
HMS Astute had become stuck during sea trials on Friday in a channel between the island of Skye and the Scottish mainland.
The vessel – which is the UK’s most powerful attack submarine – remained on view from 8am until the tide turned in the evening when it was freed by a tug.
The Ministry of Defence said checks of the sub’s rudder, which is thought to have become stuck on a shingle bank, were carried out in deeper water.
Astute will now return to base at Faslane on the Clyde for further checks.
An MoD spokesman said: “Surveys of Astute have now been completed and she will proceed to Faslane under her own power. She is being escorted by tugs and HMS Shoreham.”
The Royal Navy launched a service inquiry into why the 100m-long submarine ran aground.
The vessel is understood to have strayed several hundred yards outside the safe sea lane marked on Admiralty charts.
The MoD said the investigation into the incident would be “full and thorough”.
The investigation will also consider if any crew were negligent and the submarine’s skipper, Commander Andy Coles, could find himself in front of a court martial.
But a Ministry of Defence spokesman said it would be “inappropriate” to comment on the possibility of disciplinary action until the investigation is complete.
It is believed a crew transfer from the shore to the submarine was being carried out when the incident happened.
There were no reports of any injuries and the Ministry of Defence said it was not a “nuclear incident”.
The vessel was towed free by a tug at around 6pm on Friday and sailed to nearby deep water under its own power.
A survey assessed the damage to the submarine to determine whether HMS Astute could return to Faslane naval base on the Clyde under her own power, or if she requires assistance.
Built by defence company BAE Systems at Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, HMS Astute is the first in a fleet of six vessels which will replace the Trafalgar class submarine.
The submarine weighs 7,800 tonnes, equivalent to nearly 1,000 double-decker buses.
