Sub Commander set to shore

[edjcox]

"Navy Relieves Sub Commander After Deaths

By ANNE FLAHERTY, Associated Press Writer

document.write(getElapsed("20070120T045100Z"));2 hours ago
WASHINGTON - The Navy announced Friday it relieved the commander of a nuclear submarine that was involved in an incident that killed two sailors.
On Dec. 29, rough seas swept four American sailors from the deck of the submarine off the coast of southwestern England. The USS-Minneapolis-St. Paul was leaving Plymouth harbor when the sailors were knocked into the water by surging waves. The four men were taken to a hospital in Plymouth, where two were pronounced dead.
According to officials, an initial review determined the incident was avoidable and due in part to a poor decision by the commander. A formal investigation is still under way. He was identified by a Navy statement as Cmdr. Edwin Ruff.
According to the Navy, Ruff was reassigned to a shore-based post in Norfolk, Va. The decision was made by Vice Adm. Chuck Munns, commander of the Navy's Submarine Force in Norfolk.
"Munns took this action due to a loss of confidence in Ruff's ability to command," according to the service statement.
Ruff and another officer on the submarine received a letter of reprimand this week.
The Minneapolis-St. Paul, assigned to the 6th Fleet, had just completed a weeklong layover in Plymouth, about 210 miles southwest of London.
Based in Norfolk, Va., the sub was heading to sea for routine duties when the accident happened"

[Bis71]

I saw this. Why would a nuke sub be on the surface in rough weather? Shallow water? Why would men be on deck? Does one string lifelines on a sub?

[Sailor Steve]

We've had threads before with people asking "Why would his career end for that?"

Remember: the navy doesn't forgive or forget. Whatever happens, the captain is responsible.

[geetrue]

Without a good lawyer their career is over ... Never going past four stripes for sure.

They will let you finish at a desk ... Keeps the others on their toes.

Seems to work ...

[edjcox]

The boat was leaving the harbor in shallow water on the surface during very bad weather with wind / waves

The boat was being escorted by British surface vessels (these ende up spotting and help rescue crewman.

The Subs lifelines were probably being dismatled and taken down in preparation for extended subsurface operations.

The crewman normally are required to wear lifevests during any deck operations.

I understand they were not tethered to the boat and as a result the errant wave washed them off deck and then waves pinned them to the boats side causing injury and as we now know two deaths.

Waves were pretty intense and cross chopped causing extreme difficulty. Water temperature was very cold...


We always tethered those on deck. Except Conning tower... Tethers were easily used to return sailors to boat even if unconcious.

Not sure but I guess deck operations protocls were not followed for some reason...

[August]

Originally Posted by edjcox

The boat was leaving the harbor in shallow water on the surface during very bad weather with wind / waves

The boat was being escorted by British surface vessels (these ende up spotting and help rescue crewman.

The Subs lifelines were probably being dismatled and taken down in preparation for extended subsurface operations.

The crewman normally are required to wear lifevests during any deck operations.

I understand they were not tethered to the boat and as a result the errant wave washed them off deck and then waves pinned them to the boats side causing injury and as we now know two deaths.

Waves were pretty intense and cross chopped causing extreme difficulty. Water temperature was very cold...


We always tethered those on deck. Except Conning tower... Tethers were easily used to return sailors to boat even if unconcious.

Not sure but I guess deck operations protocls were not followed for some reason...

From what I understand the dead sailors were indeed tethered to the deck and after going over the side were repeatedly bashed against the hull by the wave action. The two that survived were divers and were not tethered.