Nuclear-powered US submarine hits boat in Gulf

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jan/11/nuclear-powered-us-submarine-hits-boat

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A nuclear-powered US attack submarine has struck a suspected fishing boat shortly after passing through the Strait of Hormuz in the Gulf, damaging one of the submarine's periscopes but injuring no one.

The US Navy's Fifth Fleet said in a statement that the crew of the fishing vessel appeared to be unaware of the incident as it "continued on a consistent course and speed offering no indication of distress or acknowledgment of a collision".

The USS Jacksonville, a Los Angeles-class, nuclear-powered submarine, did not appear to suffer further damage, the Bahrain-based Fifth Fleet said.

"The reactor remains in a safe condition. There was no damage to the propulsion plant systems and there is no concern regarding watertight integrity."

The incident, which took place at 5am local time on Thursday and is under investigation, follows an August collision between a US guided missile destroyer and an oil tanker.

Iran has threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz if its dispute with the US over its nuclear programme escalates. Washington says it maintains naval forces in the Gulf to ensure security in the region.