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Collison with Merchant ship forces UK most advanced nuclear SUB , forces dock in Gibraltor




One of the UK's newest nuclear-powered submarines has docked in Gibraltar after a "collision" with a merchant vessel during a training exercise.

The Royal Navy said it has launched an immediate investigation after HMS Ambush was involved in the "glancing collision" while submerged off the coast of the British territory.

There is "some external damage" but no crew members were injured, it added.

The Astute-class attack submarine's nuclear reactor was undamaged.

In a statement on the Ministry of Defence website, the Navy said the incident took place at approximately 13:30 local time on Tuesday.





The crew's quarters (left) - there are a maximum of 22 bunks per cabin, each man has a bunk, a locker and a curtain. The only man to have his own cabin is the captain, Cmdr Peter Green (right), pictured on his seat in the control room.







Further checks

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

Damage can be scene on the turret of the Nuclear powered submarine


"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."




Further checks would be carried out but there are no safety concerns, said the Navy.

Photographs of HMS Ambush arriving in Gibraltar appear to show damage to the front section of its conning tower.

The submarine is reported to be a regular visitor to Gibraltar, having last stopped in the territory in June and March.

One of the Royal Navy's three Astute-class submarines - Britain's largest and most advanced attack submarines - HMS Ambush is 97m (318ft) in length, cost more than £1bn and carries torpedoes and Tomahawk cruise missiles.

It joined the fleet at the Faslane naval base in 2013 after two years of sea trials. The Royal Navy is due to take delivery of three further Astute-class submarines



In a statement released this evening, the MoD 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.

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