Indian nuclear submarine was crippled for ten months after water flooded in when sailor ‘forgot to close the HATCH’

A £2billion Indian nuclear submarine was crippled for ten months after water flooded it when a sailor allegedly forgot to close the hatch.

The ballistic-missile sub called INS Arihant suffered 'major damage' not long after it was commissioned in 2016.

While sat in the Visakhapatnam harbour on the country's east coast, the trap door was left open by one of the crew and water rushed inside.



Saltwater had to be pumped out of the vessel and damaged pipes had to be cut out and replaced.

The extensive repairs on the submarine designed to carry a floating stock of nuclear weapons took almost a year.

In its coverage of the bizarre incident The Hindu said: 'Arihant’s propulsion compartment was damaged after water entered it.

'A naval source said water rushed in as a hatch on the rear side was left open by mistake while it was at harbor.'

How such a simple mistake could have occurred on one of the crown jewels of the Indian military has left experts scratching their heads.

Popular Mechanics reported on the incident, saying: 'As the star of the Indian Navy, Arihant should have attracted the best submariners India had to offer, which makes this accident all the more baffling.'

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...ose-HATCH.html