The Royal Navy submarine HMS Superb, which suffered some damage when she struck an underwater pinnacle in the Red Sea on 26 May, has arrived in Crete for a short period.
MOD Statement at http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.13008
Arrival in Crete
The Royal Navy submarine HMS Superb, which suffered some damage when she struck an underwater pinnacle in the Red Sea on 26 May, has arrived in Crete for a short period.
Having carried out an initial inspection in Aqaba, Jordan to ensure her safe passage of the Suez canal, the submarine arrived at the NATO facility at Souda Bay on 9 Jun for a further assessment and essential repair in order to complete the rest of her passage back to the UK. Whilst damage to her main sonar system and ballast tanks meant she remained on the surface whilst on passage as a sensible precaution, the submarine sailed under her own power from Aqaba to Crete.
The circumstances of the grounding, in which there were no casualties or environmental impact, are still subject to an investigation.
NIS Comment
Unless a Z Berth has been established in Crete, this use of a berth in Crete is unacceptable on public safety grounds. Submarines are not permitted to berth in UK ports unless a nuclear safety plan for the actual berth has been developed, tested and maintained.