US submarine officer sacked over accident

GDN: A COMMANDING officer of a US submarine was relieved of his duties in Bahrain following an incident that happened off Mina Salman port, it emerged yesterday.

Task Force 74/54 Commander Rear Admiral Phillip Sawyer relieved Captain Eric Merrill of his command of USS Emory S Land (AS 39) due to a loss of confidence in his ability to command, according to Navy.mil, the official website of the US Navy.

Captain Merrill was reportedly relieved of his command following an investigation into an incident that took place on June 21, when the submarine struck a channel buoy during an inbound transit to Mina Salman port.

Repairs

He was awarded non-judicial punishment for violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice Article 110 (improper hazarding of vessel(.

Following the incident, the vessel that supplies and supports submarines pulled into port in Bahrain where it is currently making preparations for repairs, according to the US Navy.

No crewmembers were injured in the incident and investigations are in progress, it added.

Captain Merrill, who took command of Emory S Land in September last year, has been reassigned to the staff of Commander Submarine Force, US Pacific Fleet.

Captain Thomas Stanley, previous commanding officer of submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40), has assumed command of Emory S Land until a permanent replacement is named, said the US Navy.