USS Connecticut’s South China Sea accident was preventable, report concludes

Name: US submarine strikes unknown underwater object in disputed South China Sea
Uploaded: 2022-05-24T13:34:46.000Z
Duration: 3 min 10 s
Description: US submarine strikes unknown underwater object in disputed South China Sea

Inquiry blames failings that ‘fell far below US Navy standards’ for the collision with an underwater mountain

The South China Sea is one of the most sensitive waterways in the world, and Beijing accused the US of ‘irresponsible’ behaviour after the accident last October

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The USS Connecticut needed repairs after the incident. Photo: Handout

Liu Zhen

Published: 9:34pm, 24 May 2022Updated: 10:09pm, 24 May 2022

The grounding of the nuclear-powered submarine USS Connecticut in the South China Sea last October was preventable, a report has concluded.

The command investigation report published on Monday identified a series of failings, including in navigation and risk management, “all of which fell far below US Navy standards”.

Eleven crew members were injured and the Seawolf-class fast attack sub was damaged when it hit an underwater mountain while submerged in the northern part of the disputed waters on October 2.

The incident prompted China to criticise the United States for being “irresponsible” by failing to provide details of exactly where the accident occurred or explain what the sub was doing.

The South China Sea, one of the world’s busiest international waterways, is a major potential flashpoint.

China’s claims to the bulk of the resource rich waters are disputed by five other countries and Beijing has been building up artificial islands and military facilities to consolidate its claims.

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US submarine strikes unknown underwater object in disputed South China Sea