The UK Royal Navy’s nuclear-powered submarine, HMS Ambush, collided with a merchant vessel off Gibraltar on July 20 at 13:30 local time while conducting a training exercise, the country’s ministry of defense said in a statement. The Royal Navy said the Astute-class submarine was involved “in a glancing collision” while submerged. “The submarine suffered some external damage but there is absolutely no damage to her nuclear plant and no member of the ship’s company was injured in the incident,” the ministry said. An investigation has been launched following the collision. According to the statement, HMS Ambush should have entered Gibraltar yesterday evening for further checks. No safety concerns have been raised with relation to the submarine being alongside, according to the ministry. The ministry has not provided any additional details on the merchant vessel involved in the collision. Launched in 2011, HMS Ambush is the second submarine in the Astute-class series. It is the UK Royal Navy’s newest and most advanced submarine.

(Source: World Maritime News)