Sub's crew blamed for crash
The crew of an American submarine that struck an undersea mountain in the Pacific earlier this year did not adequately study charts that warned of the hazard, said a US navy report published at the weekend.
The USS San Francisco was on its way to Australia when the accident happened on January 8 about 360 miles south-east of Guam, killing one sailor and injuring 97.
Had the crew "complied with requisite procedures and exercised prudent navigation practices", the grounding could have been avoided, said the report.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Joseph Ashley, 24, suffered severe head injuries in the collision and died the next day.
His father, Dan, recently met the skipper of the submarine, Commander Kevin Mooney, who was relieved of his command and reprimanded. Six crew members were also disciplined over the accident.
"He took full responsibility and, with tears in eyes, he asked me to forgive him," Mr Ashley said in a telephone interview. "And I know Joey and him were very close."
The USS San Francisco was on its way to Australia when the accident happened on January 8 about 360 miles south-east of Guam, killing one sailor and injuring 97.
Had the crew "complied with requisite procedures and exercised prudent navigation practices", the grounding could have been avoided, said the report.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Joseph Ashley, 24, suffered severe head injuries in the collision and died the next day.
His father, Dan, recently met the skipper of the submarine, Commander Kevin Mooney, who was relieved of his command and reprimanded. Six crew members were also disciplined over the accident.
"He took full responsibility and, with tears in eyes, he asked me to forgive him," Mr Ashley said in a telephone interview. "And I know Joey and him were very close."
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