One iPod, one submarine= $96 million damage!

[Feuer Frei!]

"A US nuclear submarine rammed another ship causing nearly US$90million ($96.4 million) damage - while its navigator was listening to his iPod. The Sun reports sailors aboard the USS Hartford had also rigged up loudspeakers so they could play music on duty.Sonar operators and radio men were missing from their posts and others drove the attack sub while "with one hand on the controls and their shoes off", an official report said.
The report slammed the navigator, who was listening to his iPod in his cabin while revising for an exam at the time.
The captain, Commander Ryan Brookhart, was relieved of his duties after the US Navy found that more than 30 errors - including "an informal atmosphere" and "a weak command" - led to the "avoidable accident".
Fifteen sailors on the Hartford were injured when it hit the transport ship USS New Orleans in the Persian Gulf in March 2009.
Navy chiefs approved the huge $US87 million repair bill for the Hartford and another $US2.3 million for the New Orleans."
(By Neil Millard, The Sun)


All i can say is Wow!


http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...-RSS&ATTR=News

read more ^^^^^^^

[Onkel Neal]

No kidding, that's pretty lax.

[theluckyone17]

Oh, come on... I drive my boat in my underwear on Sunday mornings while listening to country & celtic music.

Wait, you say they're playing DiD and the government pays to repair the damage caused on patrol? Ok, I see the fuss now...

[sonar732]

Give me a more credible source than The Sun and I might believe it. The mere fact that they claim the sonar operators and radio men were missing from their post is unbelievable since they were in a very hostile environment.

[Platapus]

If this story is true (The Sun), I don't imagine this will look good on their performance reports.

[SteamWake]

Originally Posted by Neal Stevens

No kidding, that's pretty lax.

Not to mention a little hard to beleive 'steering with one hand and their shoes off" what the heck was it Kelsy Grammers boat

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by sonar732

Give me a more credible source than The Sun and I might believe it. The mere fact that they claim the sonar operators and radio men were missing from their post is unbelievable since they were in a very hostile environment.

Agreed.....certainly the bit about the credibility of The Sun

[Max Peck]

I saw a similar story but it wasn't from the Sun. I'll see if I can find it again.

[UnderseaLcpl]

Every source I've found quotes The Sun, and I haven't been able to find any AP reports.

I wouldn't be surprised if the story were true, but I remain skeptical until I see something on it from the DOD or some accredited source. http://www.defense.gov/releases

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by UnderseaLcpl

Every source I've found quotes The Sun, and I haven't been able to find any AP reports.

I wouldn't be surprised if the story were true, but I remain skeptical until I see something on it from the DOD or some accredited source. http://www.defense.gov/releases

Same here mate....The Sun is not the most reputable or reliable source

[Feuer Frei!]

A LOT of credibility:
Reuters.

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE52J3KY20090320

No iPhone mention in this one, no movie-style script.

[TLAM Strike]

Here are pics of the damage:




Military times says the navigator was listing to his Ipod at the time.
http://www.militarytimes.com/news/20...tford_111509w/

[Jimbuna]

Then he is potentially in a lot of trouble

[UnderseaLcpl]

Originally Posted by jimbuna

Then he is potentially in a lot of trouble

That report says that only the upper echelons of the command structure are in trouble, but I'm sure the navigator will catch his in due time.

Oddly enough, there is still no news on the DOD website. They must be prepping their press-conference drone: http://www.theonion.com/video/pentag...rst-pre,14256/

[August]

Looks like punishment has already been handed out.

Cmdr. Ryan Brookhart was detached for cause and chief of the boat Master Chief Electronics Technician (SS) Stefan Prevot was reassigned to Submarine Squadron 4 in the aftermath. The navigator, executive officer and weapons officer underwent nonjudicial punishment, as did 10 sailors. Also, administrative action was taken against three direct support element members assigned to Naval Information Operations Command in Georgia as well as a fleet intelligence specialist based near Washington, D.C. The report did not explain what role they played.