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Monday, 6 March, 2000, 15:11 GMT

Nuclear sub crash inquiry

A formal inquiry is under way after a nuclear submarine broke free from its moorings and hit a dock.

Damage estimated at thousands of pounds is thought to have been caused to the Swiftsure class submarine HMS Sceptre, which is nearing the end of a two-year refit at Rosyth dockyard in Fife.

The investigations are being carried out by the Ministry of Defence and Babcock Rosyth Defence Ltd., the owner and operator of the dockyard.

At no time were personnel, either civilian or military, injured, and at no time was nuclear safety compromised
MoD spokesman

The 3,500 tonne vessel moved forward 20 metres in its flooded dock at the weekend while its main engine and prop shaft were being tested, tearing and bending steam pipes used in the generating system.

According to one dockyard source, it also dragged a crane from its quayside rails. The crane settled again in its original position without tumbling into the dock.

'No nuclear risk'

Local MSP Scott Barrie said he had spoken to union and management representatives and it appeared that too much steam had been used to power up the submarine's engines.

His understanding, he added, was that there had not been a nuclear risk.

HMS Sceptre arrived at the yard, run by Babcock Rosyth Defence Ltd, 18 months ago, and was nearing completition of her refit. Man working in submarine

The ship is capable of continuous patrols at high underwater speed and circumnavigating the globe without surfacing.

She is normally armed with Tigerfish torpedoes, and the Sub-Harpoon missile, although all weaponry had already been offloaded before berthing for refit.

John Ainslie, Scottish CND, said: "We are very surprised than accident of this magnitude could be occurring on a nuclear submarine in the dockyard at Rosyth.

"There have been various minor accidents there over the years but certainly we've heard reports from some of the workforce that this is the most substantial accident that's happened there."

Engines 'oversped'

There was no comment from Babcock Rosyth Defence Ltd, but a Ministry of Defence spokesman in London confirmed the incident.

He said it happened during basin testing of the main engines and shaft, using shore steam power.

"On ordering minimum revs ahead, on remote throttles, the main engines oversped, causing the submarine to break its moorings," the spokesman said. Crane at Rosyth

"At no time were personnel, either civilian or military, injured, and at no time was nuclear safety compromised."

While an investigation was continuing, he said routine work on HMS Sceptre would continue.

Many workers only learned of the incident when they arrived for their day shift on Sunday.

One said: "It happened at 10 o'clock at night over the weekend, when there was a skeleton workforce on.

"At maximum shift time, it could have been been more serious, especially when the crane was lifted off its tracks. From what we are told, it shot forward and listed, breaking its tow lines.

"Apparently there is a huge amount of steam piping burst and bent."

Related to this story:
Rosyth job losses confirmed (10 Sep 99 | Scotland)
Rosyth staff plan pay deal stoppage (22 Jul 99 | The Company File)
Rosyth staff stage walkouts (22 Jul 99 | The Company File)
MSP seeks answers on Rosyth jobs (03 Sep 99 | Scotland)

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