Flooding hampers submarine in RIMPAC

Days after sinking the target ship Kilauea, the Australian navy’s submarine HMAS Farncomb was sidelined last week because of a flooding incident.

According to the Australian Defense Force, the Collins-class submarine was cruising at periscope depth during an exercise on Wednesday when a water hose in the vessel’s weight compensation system split, resulting in minor flooding.

No one was hurt and the submarine was able to safely return to Pearl Harbor for repairs. The malfunction is under investigation.

The submarine was responsible for one of the most publicized and impressive demonstrations during Rim of the Pacific naval maneuvers this month. On July 23, the Farncomb sank the decommissioned, 12-ton Kilauea with an MK-48 torpedo. The blast split the ship in two, causing it to sink within 40 minutes.

Collins submarines like the Farncomb were subjected to rigorous examination after a near disaster in 2003, in which a seawater cooling hose burst while the HMAS Dechaineux was deep under water. The accident resulted in significant design upgrades.

On Friday, ships and submarines participating RIMPAC lined up for their class portrait in sun-dappled waters off Hawaii. The flotilla, led by the carrier USS Nimitz, included a dozen Pearl Harbor-based ships — three cruisers, three destroyers, two frigates, three subs and a salvage vessel.