This probably doesn’t interest most of you. But my former life was as a ballistic-missile sub driver.
While it’s a big ocean, when you are operating in close support, these kinds of things can happen — especially when the support vessel is not moving (making no sound) or is bow-on to the submarine. You just cannot hear the engine noises.
The Navy says a ballistic-missile submarine and a support vessel collided off the coast of Washington state.
There were no injuries from the Thursday evening incident in the Strait of Juan de Fuca involving the USS Louisiana and the offshore support vessel. In a statement the Navy said the collision occurred during routine operations.
Damage assessments are being conducted and both vessels returned to port under their own power – the support vessel to Port Angeles, Washington, and the submarine to Naval Base Kitsap.