Submarines again anyone?

[Greji]

Japanese Sub, Civilian Vessel Collide

A Japanese submarine collided with a civilian cargo ship during exercises in waters off southern Japan Tuesday, defense officials said. There were no immediate reports of any injuries.
The Maritime Self-Defense Forces submarine grazed the civilian vessel during surfacing exercises about 30 miles off the southeastern coast of Miyazaki on Japan's southern island of Kyushu, a defense agency spokesman, speaking on condition of anonymity in accord with agency policy.

No injuries were reported among the 75 crew members of the submarine Asashio. But the spokesman said officials found a dent in the top part of the sub, the apparent result of striking the hull of the ship while surfacing.......more

I wonder if anybody was hurt or killed on the cargo ship. Interesting lack of info as compared to when the last JN sensuikan surfaced under a fishing boat. As well as the numerous clangs and bangs with subs from the old Soviet navy.

God forbid if it were another US sub.

[GuyJean]

God forbid if it were another US sub.

You mean the one Joe Idiot Civilian was driving?

Two Civilians Were at Controls of Sub During Collision
http://edition.cnn.com/2001/US/02/13/japan.substrike.05/index.html

Two civilians were at two of the three control stations in a U.S. Navy nuclear submarine when it hit and sank a fishing trawler carrying Japanese students last week, CNN has learned.

Twenty-six people were rescued and nine are still missing following the accident.

Sources said a civilian guest was seated in the helm position, or the right-hand seat in the control room, from which the USS Greeneville's bow planes and rudder are controlled. Those controls govern the angle of ascent and the direction of the sub....

GJ

[Greji]

You mean the one Joe Idiot Civilian was driving?

Two Civilians Were at Controls of Sub During Collision
http://edition.cnn.com/2001/US/02/13/japan.substrike.05/index.html
GJ

That was later to be shown to be untrue, although there were civilians present as part of a PR program that the military "used to have" to provide civilians in the area of bases wit a first hand look at the military in action (plus a free boat or plane ride). A ship's captain will not surrender the complete control of the helm to someone who doesn't know what is happening.

But, it did make a nice addition to a tragic story for the writers. If you compare the coverage to a similar type accident that occured with a J-sub with resultant civilian J-fatalities, it was a covered quite a bit differantly. The only significant coverage after that incident was relegated to an occasional follow up on the J-Captain's court case for professional negligence resulting in death.

Quite obviously, the fact that the sub was US and most of those killed were J-students made a big difference. But the point being that the coverage was quite different. At any rate, we beat the to death (bad word choice maybe) in a previous FG thread.

[kurohinge1]

Maybe one of the ex-sailors can answer this: Don't these multi-million dollar, ultra-modern submarines have some idea of what's above them?

I understand that the submarine radar developed about 75 years ago meant that they had to rise to periscope depth before they could use their radar, but has there been no advancement on that?

[Greji]

but has there been no advancement on that?

The newer models have chrome bumpers.

[IkemenTommy]

They only were QA testing. It's standard procedure.
History loves to repeat itself in Japan.

[GuyJean]

That was later to be shown to be untrue..

Hhhmmm.. I don't disbelieve you, but you might want to edit the Wikipedia entry..

The Ehime Maru incident

On 9 February 2001, while hosting a "Distinguished Visitor" cruise for several civilian guests, Greeneville conducted an Emergency Main Ballast Tank Blow, a dramatic maneuver that brings the boat to the surface so rapidly her bow rises high out of the water. [B]Two of the civilian guests were at the submarine’].. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ehime-Maru

GJ

[GuyJean]

Some other great findings on Wiki..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ehime-Maru

Commander Scott Waddle, who commanded Greeneville during the collision, accepted full responsibility for the incident. A court of inquiry found that there had not been a sonar or periscope scan of the immediate vicinity before surfacing. Waddle was reprimanded, but Navy officials decided against a court-martial and let him retire honorably with his rank and pension intact.

Waddle's apology to the victims' families was delayed, because, as he wrote in The Right Thing published in 2003, "the [Navy's] settlement process ... would have been interrupted. It was decided while I was on active duty before I retired in October of 2001 that visiting Japan was not in the best interest. After I retired in October, it took me some time to find employment. I finally found employment in August and from that time, the resources were not available to get me to Japan. But at the earliest opportunity I did make that trip when I could ..."

In his own book, printed by a religious publisher, Captain Waddle presented himself as an honorable Christian who chose to face the torment rather than committing suicide.

:lol:

Book cover of The Right Thing with President George W. Bush's praise: "This fine American patriot ... is taking the heat .. that says something about his character.".

:rofl:

(sorry.. A little off topic..)

GJ

[baka tono]

Was the sonar guy deaf or having his morning sake?

[Greji]

Hhhmmm.. I don't disbelieve you, but you might want to edit the Wikipedia entry..
GJ

Well, since everything entered by anybody in Wikipedia is true, you could have a point, but the next time you buy a new car, I won't you to put someone who can't drive in the driver's seat and let him take it for a spin!

[GuyJean]

Doh! Not again!...

No references yet, but a US submarine hit a Japanese 'vessel'..

GJ

[Captain Japan]

Report: U.S. submarine, Japanese ship collide in the Arabian Sea
IHT

TOKYO: A U.S. submarine and Japanese ship have collided in the Arabian Sea, Kyodo News agency reported Tuesday, citing an unidentified government official.

The submarine struck a commercial vessel, Kyodo said, adding that the official was quoting information from the U.S. side. There was no immediate word about injuries.

The information was passed to Japan's Foreign Ministry shortly after 4 a.m. Tuesday (1900 Monday), Kyodo said.

Officials at Japan's Defense Ministry and Ministry of Foreign Affairs were not immediately able to confirm the report. The U.S. Fifth Fleet, based in Bahrain, also had no immediate comment.

[Taro Toporific]

Report: U.S. submarine, Japanese ship collide in the Arabian Sea
IHT

The ship hit -- the Mogamigawa-- is quite a large target. It's a VLCC (Very Large Crude oil Carrier)-- 300,000 deadweight tonnage (dwt).

[Greji]

The ship hit -- the Mogamigawa-- is quite a large target. It's a VLCC (Very Large Crude oil Carrier)-- 300,000 deadweight tonnage (dwt).

That's the Navy for you, just wanting to show off. If they had of just launched a nifty four torpedo spread, they could have done the Mogamigawa nicely without having to resort to ramming it!

[Taro Toporific]

[color="DarkSlateGray"] Doesn't this phrase sound like Japanese? [The sub commander was] "removed from his post due to ''a lack of confidence in his ability to command,'' the Navy said" ?[/color]


[INDENT]U.S. Navy sub commander removed after crash with Japanese tanker
WASHINGTON, Jan. 29 KYODO
The U.S. Navy said Monday it has relieved a submarine commander of duty after his nuclear vessel collided with a large Japanese commercial tanker in the Persian Gulf early this month.
Matthew Weingart, commander of the Newport News of the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet, was removed from his post due to ''a lack of confidence in his ability to command,'' the Navy said in a statement.
The 6,300-ton submarine collided with the 299,999-ton Japanese tanker Mogamigawa on Jan. 8 near the Strait of Hormuz. The tanker, run by Japanese shipping company Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Ltd. sustained damage to its hull and took on about 4,000 tons of water but was able to navigate on its own to a port on the eastern coast of the United Arab Emirates for checks.
No injuries and no oil or radiation leaks were reported.
The Navy said the submarine will return to the United States once temporary repairs are completed in Bahrain, adding that legal and safety mishap investigations are in progress.
The submarine was engaged in a patrol mission to keep watch for suspicious ships possibly operated by terrorists at the time of collision, according to the 5th Fleet.
The U.S. Navy has been stepping up security efforts in the Arabian Sea connected to Islamist activities in Somalia, on the eastern coast of Africa. Japan is also sending Maritime Self-Defense Force vessels to provide fuel to U.S. and other ships taking part in antiterrorism operations in Afghanistan.
Most Japanese vessels carrying oil to Japan pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
==Kyodo
[/INDENT]

[Taro Toporific]

Report: U.S. submarine, Japanese ship collide in the Arabian Sea
IHT
TOKYO: A U.S. submarine and Japanese ship have collided in the Arabian Sea, Kyodo News agency reported Tuesday, citing an unidentified government official.
The submarine struck a commercial vessel, Kyodo said, adding that the official was quoting information from the U.S. side. There was no immediate word about injuries.

[INDENT]
North Korea 'had plan to attack Japan'
Gomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 21, 2007
.....What appears to be a simple maritime accident can have very different implications in the eyes of military experts.
On Jan. 9, a U.S. Navy nuclear submarine collided with a large Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Ltd. tanker in the Persian Gulf, causing damage to the submarine's bow and the tanker's stern. The accident itself was not serious, but Koh Young Choul, a former South Korean National Defense Ministry officer in charge of intelligence covering North Korea, analyzed it as follows:
"It was highly likely that the nuclear submarine hid itself in bubbles created by the commercial ship's screws to sneak past surveillance by Iran," Koh, 53, said. "That's the best way for a submarine to slip through airplane patrol searches."
"Even North Korea's old-fashioned submarines could come close to Japan in the same way," he added.

There is nothing to worry about if North Korea has no intention of attacking Japan. However, that was not the case in the past. According to Koh, North Korea mapped out a plan to attack the Japanese archipelago, called Operation Mt. Paektu No. 3, 10 years ago, when it deployed Rodong ballistic missiles.
Mt. Paektu, which stands on the North Korean border with China, is considered a sacred site by Koreans and also a symbolic place, having served as a bastion for anti-Japanese guerrillas during World War II.
According to Koh, part of the Mt. envisioned Paektu operation went as follows:
Immediately after starting a war, Rodong missiles would be launched, targeting U.S. bases in Sasebo, Nagasaki Prefecture, Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, and other locations in Japan, as well as more than 50 reactors at nuclear power plants. In the meantime, ballistic missiles loaded with chemical warheads would be launched at Tokyo.
After that, commando units aboard submarines would enter Japan and carry out guerrilla attacks against important facilities.
For North Korea, U.S. military power is a threat. However, Pyongyang, which has an energy shortage problem, does not have any option in war other than a quick, decisive battle against the United States. Therefore, the best strategy for North Korea is to bring the war to an early ceasefire by inflicting maximum damage on Japan first.....
[/INDENT]

[Greji]

[INDENT]
North Korea 'had plan to attack Japan' does not have any option in war other than a quick, decisive battle against the United States. Therefore, the best strategy for North Korea is to bring the war to an early ceasefire by inflicting maximum damage

Now, where have I heard this senario before? Didn't someone by the name of Genda make an attack plan along these same parameters awhile back? Well, I suppose the planners in Chosen being isolated like they are, can be a little slow in getting the word.

[kurohinge1]

And for all your one-man-army needs, now comes the personal U-Boat:

$100,000 for your own submarine

They resemble spaceships, cost about the same as a new Mercedes Benz and will allow you to spend hours underwater exploring the ocean floor.

A European company has unveiled what is believed to be the world's first line of mass-produced personal submarines and has begun selling the zippy craft for about $100,000 each.

Capable of plunging to a depth of 50 metres and travelling at about 6km/h the C-Quester subs look like something from the 1960s cartoon The Jetsons, with their sleek lines and bubble roofs.

They are expected to prove popular in Australia, competing for the consumer dollar alongside other recreational craft like jetskis and cruisers.

Produced by Dutch firm U-Boat Worx, the cleverly designed subs have recently been marketed in Britain.

The hulls of the craft are made from polyester which can be coloured according to the specifications of buyers. A durable plastic dome, sits snuggly over the driver's seat, allowing for 360-degree vision.

Charging of the subs' three electric motors takes about 12-hours and users can then putter under the water for up to 2.5 hours.

U-Boat Worx has so far begun selling a one person model of the C-Quester, but plans to market a two-seater later this year.

The one-seater is about three metres long and 180 cm high and wide. It weighs about 1000 kg.

In a statement, the company said atmospheric pressure inside the sub remained at surface levels during dives, allowing for rapid ascents in emergencies. Stale air is removed using a filtration system, with oxygen continually added to maintain a breathable atmosphere.

. . . The two person sub is expected to sell for about $150,000 and can carry a payload of up to 200 kg.

Options include external lights and sonar.

The U-Boat name has raised eyebrows in Britain . . . more

Officially, they can't tell you about the other options available . . .

[Bucky]

Even more from under the sea.

(CBS/AP) A Japanese submarine collided with a civilian vessel Tuesday in southern Japan waters, news reports said.

The Maritime Self-Defense Forces submarine collided with an unidentified civilian boat during surfacing exercise off the coast of Miyazaki on Japan's southern island of Kyushu, Kyodo News agency and public broadcaster NHK said.

No injuries were reported among the submarine crew members. Details of the Japanese civilian vessel were not immediately known, the reports said.