US Navy submarine will be out 5 years due to ‘poor seamanship’
Jul 18, 2025 at 02:18 PM EDT
Ryan Robertson (Anchor/Reporter)
Summary
Return delayed
USS Connecticut's return to service has been delayed to at least late 2026 due to extensive damage from a 2021 collision with an uncharted underwater mountain and the complexity of repairing a rare Seawolf-class submarine.
Subs needed now
The submarine’s repair and upgrade are strategically vital, as the U.S. faces growing naval threats from China and delays in deploying next-generation submarines, leaving few high-end assets available in the near term.
Preventable problem
Navy investigations blamed poor leadership and seamanship for the incident, resulting in the dismissal of the vessel’s commanding officers and highlighting procedural failures in navigation and risk management.
Full story
The USS Connecticut is one of just three Seawolf-class nuclear-powered fast attack submarines in the U.S. Navy. The highly capable craft will remain out of service until at least late 2026 — more than five years after a critical underwater collision. On Oct. 2, 2021, while navigating international waters near Japan, Connecticut struck an uncharted seamount and sustained significant damage to its bow, sonar dome and ballast tanks. After it was forced to surface, the submarine made a slow journey home, first sailing to Guam, then to California and eventually to Washington state. That’s where it has remained in dry dock at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.
The Navy initially expected repairs to conclude by 2025, but reporting from The War Zone confirms the timeline has now been pushed back by at least another year.
Command failures create costly consequences
An investigation by the U.S. Navy’s 7th Fleet found the accident was entirely preventable. Poor seamanship, inadequate navigation planning, and a general lack of discipline aboard the vessel were cited as causes. As a result, Vice Adm. Karl Thomas relieved Connecticut’s top leadership, including Cmdr. Cameron Aljilani, Executive Officer Lt. Cmdr. Patrick Cashin, and Chief of the Boat Master Chief Sonar Technician Cory Rodgers, due to “loss of confidence.”
https://san.com/cc/us-navy-submarine-will-be-out-5-years-due-to-poor-seamanship/
