Underwater Mountain Collision, United States Nuclear Submarine Commander And Executive Officer Dismissed

United States nuclear submarine USS Connecticut (SSN-22). (Wikimedia Commons/US Navy/Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Adam K. Thomas)

JAKARTA - The three top commanders of the USS Connecticut Nuclear Submarine (SSN-22) were relieved of duty Thursday, due to the incident experienced by the submarine.

The three officers lost faith after the US submarine hit a seamount while operating in international waters in early October as per the US Navy's Seventh Fleet investigation.

7th Fleet Commander Vice Admiral Karl Thomas reportedly said finding good judgment, wise decision-making and adherence to necessary procedures could have prevented the incident, the US Navy said in a statement Thursday, citing Sputnik News Nov. 5.

The move follows the completion of an investigation into the crash that occurred on October 2, and after China's Ministry of Defense voiced concern over the incident, demanding that Washington provide full details of the crash.

The incident, which injured 11 crew members of the American nuclear-powered submarine Connecticut, came after the nuclear attack submarine collided with an "uncharted underwater mountain" in the South China Sea in early October.

As a result, the submarine's ballast tanks were badly damaged, prompting the USS Connecticut (SSN-22) to immediately reroute to a "week-long cruise" to the US military base in Guam.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro said Thursday in a tweet shared by National Security Correspondent Jeff Seldin, "he is confident in the investigation," which was launched to dispel concerns and misunderstandings.

Captain John Witte will serve as interim Commander of the USS Connecticut Nuclear Submarine (SSN-22), with Commander Joe Samur serving as interim Executive Officer.

Please note, the USS Connecticut currently remains in Guam while undergoing a damage assessment supervised by Naval Systems Command, and will return to Bremerton, Washington for repairs, the Navy announced Thursday.

NEW: Top 3 commanders of USS Connecticut relived of duty "due to loss of confidence" after the US submarine hit a seamount, per @US7thFleet Investigation found "sound judgment, prudent decision-making & adherence to required procedures... could have prevented the incident" https://t.co/G5QiJjcZH0 pic.twitter.com/ZQps3forE5

— Jeff Seldin (@jseldin) November 4, 2021