US nuclear submarine in collision
A UNITED States nuclear-powered attack submarine which may have been armed with nuclear weapons has been involved in a collision with a cargo vessel in Hong Kong waters, it emerged yesterday.
The Marine Department has launched an inquiry and asked the commander of the submarine USS Drum to submit a full report.
The Security Branch was informed of the incident immediately after the collision with the Panamanian-registered cargo vessel Sei Bright at 12.57 pm on Thursday.
A spokesman said the Government had a contingency plan involving various departments and the Royal Navy in case of nuclear submarine accidents, understood to be practised annually.
'The damage was minor and we did not need to use the contingency plan.
'We must stress that we were satisfied there was no risk to the health of public,' said a Security Branch spokesman.
The 23-year-old submarine, designed to carry up to eight Tomahawk nuclear missiles, had entered Hong Kong waters to off-load a crewman who was to return to the US on compassionate leave. Fog forced an RAF Wessex to abort a winching attempt and he was transferred to a Royal Navy vessel. It is understood the submarine was still on the surface when its rear was damaged four kilometres east of Waglan Island.
Damage to both vessels was not major, but the submarine - normally based in the Pacific Fleet in Hawaii - is understood to have headed for Japan for checks and repairs.
The Americans have refused to reveal whether the Sturgeon-class submarine was armed with cruise missiles, fitted with nuclear warheads nor why it was in the region.
Naval expert David Miller, navy editor of International Defence Review, claims Sturgeon-class submarines, which are gradually being decommissioned, are the type the US Navy would use for spying on Chinese fleets.
The USS Drum's presence in the region follows two recent incidents involving Chinese submarines being accused by the US Navy of trailing its ships.
The 92-metre submarine has a full complement of 107 men and is capable of travelling at 30 knots when submerged. The submarines can achieve 15 knots on the surface.
