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Russian nuclear sub damaged in collision with fishing ship

22 September 2011 17:54 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. A Russian strategic submarine received light damage to its outer hull when a fishing vessel rammed into it early on Thursday, a Pacific Fleet source said, APA reports quoting RIA Novosti.

"The Donets fishing ship was maneuvering to avoid collision with the Kormchy fishing boat and did not notice the St. George the Victor nuclear-powered submarine anchored near the Avacha Bay," the source said.

"As a result, the submarine received insignificant damage to its outer hull," he said, adding that the sub was undergoing repairs at a dock in Vilyuchinsk. The submarine’s nuclear reactor was not damaged.

A preliminary investigation suggests that the crew of the Donets fishing vessel is to blame for the collision, as they were reportedly drunk and ignored radio and warning signals.

K-433 St. George the Victor is a Delta III class nuclear-powered submarine has been in service with the Russian Navy since 1980.