Two Royal Navy minehunters collided in Bahrain last week due to a wiring error, according to military sources. The incident, involving HMS Chiddingfold and HMS Bangor, occurred when Chiddingfold, incorrectly rewired, unexpectedly reversed into Bangor at port, causing significant damage.
The mishap, described as an “embarrassing blunder” by Defence Secretary Grant Shapps, saw Chiddingfold’s motor wired in reverse, leading to the vessel going backwards instead of forward. The collision left a visible hole in HMS Bangor’s hull above the waterline, as seen in fresh photos and video footage circulating on social media. The damage included a torn cabin at the end of a kitchen and impacted sleeping berths.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and the navy confirmed it was investigating the incident. However, naval insiders believe a simple rewiring error during a recent inspection is to blame. “Full ahead gave full astern,” stated a navy source, explaining the error.
The collision, captured on social media, showed HMS Chiddingfold inexorably backing into HMS Bangor, a crash that appeared unavoidable. Both ships, part of the UK’s permanent naval presence in the Gulf and Indian Ocean, are tasked with minehunting operations.
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This incident comes amidst heightened military activity in the region. The UK and US have been bolstering their naval presence in the Middle East, particularly in response to attacks on merchant shipping in the Red Sea by Houthi rebels. These attacks have led to airstrikes on Yemen by Britain and the US in an attempt to curb Houthi assaults, viewed as retaliatory actions for Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza.
Rear Admiral Edward Ahlgren commented on the incident, emphasizing the absence of injuries but acknowledging the damage sustained. “Why this happened is still to be established,” he stated, underscoring the rigorous training and machinery safety standards in the Royal Navy.
The Ministry of Defence has yet to comment on the specific causes of the accident, asserting that investigations are ongoing. Defence Secretary Shapps refuted claims of incompetence, comparing the rarity of such incidents to aircraft crashes and advocating for patience as investigators ascertain the precise cause of the collision.
