Navy ship damage probe



By SUN ONLINE REPORTER



The Sandown-class HMS Grimsby.

AN INVESTIGATION has been launched after a Royal Navy mine-hunting ship was damaged on a training exercise in Norway, the Ministry of Defence said today.

The Clyde-based vessel HMS Grimsby will have to undergo repairs after striking the side of a fjord north of Bergen.

None of the 35 to 40 strong crew was injured in the incident on Monday night but there was flooding on board after a fresh water tank burst.

The hull was also damaged, and the ship is now being assessed at the coastal town of Maloy.

The cause of the collision is under investigation but the accident happened during a 90 degree turn.

A spokesman said of the ship: “She will be at Maloy for some time until she’s been checked out and then will come back here for repairs.

“She didn’t take in any seawater though a fresh water tank was ruptured. We are talking about five inches of water,” he added.

The swift response of the crew was described as “exceptional” by the
Commanding Officer, Lt Cdr Nigel May.

HMS Grimsby, launched in 1998, was third in the line of four ships navigating inshore waters 90 miles off the south-west coast of the country when she struck the fjordside.

The ship was taking part in training along with Royal Marines units.

thesun.co.uk