Navy

Reports: Royal Navy Sub Commander Could Face Court Martial

A collision that forced a nuclear-powered Royal Navy submarine into port in Gibraltar could reportedly result in a court martial.

An immediate investigation was launched after HMS Ambush was involved in a "glancing" collision with a merchant vessel while submerged off the coast of Gibraltar, the Royal Navy said.

HMS Ambush was off the coast of Gibraltar; here HMS Defender patrols the Rock

The Astute-class vessel suffered "some external damage" but no crew members were injured in the incident, which the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said occurred while she was at periscope depth.

Now, according to the Times, Commander Alan Daveney, Ambush's commanding officer, will be among the senior leadership under investigation as part of an inquiry.

The experienced officer was aboard at the time with a group taking part in a notoriously difficult year-long course to become submarine commanders.

The attack submarine's nuclear reactor was undamaged, the Royal Navy said.

Last year Forces TV's Will Inglis took a look at what the Astute-class brings to the Royal Navy

Photographs show the vessel's conning tower, the raised platform from which officers give orders, badly damaged, with a large dent in its front.

Ambush's conning tower

But the MoD said the damage was "consistent" with a glancing collision.

It is not clear whether both vessels were moving at the time or if one was stationary.

The submarine was involved in the accident despite being equipped with what the Royal Navy boasts are "world-leading sensors".

HMS Ambush on display

A statement posted on the MoD website on Wednesday said:

"At approximately 1.30pm local time today, HMS Ambush, an Astute-class submarine, while submerged and conducting a training exercise, was involved in a glancing collision with a merchant vessel off the coast of Gibraltar.

"We are in contact with the merchant vessel and initial indications are that it has not sustained damage.

"The submarine suffered some external damage but there is absolutely no damage to her nuclear plant and no member of the ship's company was injured in the incident.

"An immediate investigation is being conducted.

"The submarine will be entering Gibraltar for further checks. There are no safety concerns associated with HMS Ambush being alongside."

The Astute-class are the largest, most advanced and most powerful attack submarines ever operated by the Royal Navy.

The 7,400-tonne Astute-class vessels, which cost more than £1 billion each, carry torpedoes for targeting enemy submarines and ships, as well as Tomahawk cruise missiles.