Jan 10, 2013 – Navy Sub Goes Bump in the Night and Loses Its Periscope
The U. S. Navy’s nuclear submarine USS Jacksonville was damaged early Thursday in the Persian Gulf when one of its two periscopes was struck by an unidentified vessel.No one was hurt in the early morning incident and the submarine’s nuclear reactor did not suffer any damage.
According to a statement from U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, the Los Angeles-class submarine “struck a vessel while operating in the Persian Gulf Jan. 10 at approximately 5 a.m. local time.”
The submarine “then surfaced from periscope depth to ascertain if there was any damage to the unidentified vessel. …”
…Note that the Strait of Hormuz is largely territorial water of Iran and Oman. While free “innocent passage” is allowed through such waters there are certain conditions for such. In the relevant part II of the UN Convention of the Law of The Sea Article 20 demands for Submarines and other underwater vehicles:
In the territorial sea, submarines and other underwater vehicles are required to navigate on the surface and to show their flag.
http://www.moonofalabama.org/2013/01/the-real-danger-in-the-strait-of-hormuz-.html#comments
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