Reuters: U.S. Navy removes sub commander after collision

[Eugene]

U.S. Navy removes sub commander after collision

49 minutes ago

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S. submarine commander has been removed from his post
after his vessel collided with a Japanese tanker in the Gulf, the U.S. Navy said
on Monday.

The USS Newport News nuclear-powered submarine collided with the Japanese vessel,
the Mogamigawa, on January 8 in the Strait of Hormuz, a major waterway for oil
transportation, the U.S. military has said.

A Navy statement said Cmdr. Matthew Weingart had been relieved of his command due
to "a lack of confidence in his ability to command."

No U.S. or merchant sailors were injured in the collision and no oil was spilled.
The Navy said the submarine was in Bahrain.

"The submarine will return to the United States once temporary repairs are complete,
at which time permanent repairs will be conducted," the statement said.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070129/us_nm/usa_submarine_dc_1

[MADem]

1. Well, they didn't rush that decision, anyway. The incident happened three weeks ago.

And with the coming Navy and Air Force drawdowns, those command opportunities are going to keep shrinking, so this gives someone else a chance at "leadership and glory." I'm guessing someone from SUBLANT will take over for now...and then they'll make a decision on a permanent replacement. Wonder who the lucky fellow will be? Wonder how the crew will feel about it all? Wonder if other crew members have been disciplined in some fashion?

This poor bastard had been skipper for just ten lousy months--he's gotta feel like shit right about now. The good news is that he has enough time in to retire, which is really the only option left for him. He can hang around and wait to fail of selection, but if I were giving him advice, I'd tell him to put his letter in and leave under his own steam. I'm guessing it won't get any better for him, the longer he waits...

[Tin Man]

2. Talk about your "aw, shit" moments. When your sub goes "bump" - but you're not expecting any bumps

...you pretty much understand that simply surviving the colision isn't the only trouble ahead. As in, "Aw, shit - I just lost my command..."

[MADem]

3. Yep...it's gotta suck. If he has kids in high school, they may not be staying there

to graduate. The Newport News is out of Norfolk, and that's a Navy town...he might not want to hang around for too much longer, there, to be pointed at in the exchange and whispered about. Of course, if his wife is working, if they own their home, she may not want to leave either. The stress for this guy is just beginning. A total bummer, certainly.

[Solo_in_MD]

4. You dent one and you are toast

Its the way it works. It was a serious mishap.

[Parche]

5. subs

During WWII anyone who collided with another ship, neglegence, ran aground etc...
ran afoul with Fleet Admiral Ernest King's wrath........

That is just the way it is in the Navy...........

Even tho Admiral Nimitz ran aground early in his career, he somehow managed to crawl up
the ranks to Fleet Admiral, usually this destroyed a officers career.

[Art_from_Ark]

6. What is it with US subs hitting Japanese boats?

:shrug: