A Norwegian fisherman caught an American submarine in his nets this week, writes the American press and more.
USS Virginia’s propellers became entangled in the nets, reports say, dragging them out to sea. The US Navy has sent several ships to nearby waters in recent months amid tensions with Russia.
Harald Engen was delivering a catch of halibut in the village of Malangen on Norway’s west coast when he received an unusual message, Norwegian broadcaster NRK News reported.
He was told that a submarine’s propellers got tangled in his nets and dragged them out to sea, NRK reported.
The 377-foot nuclear-powered USS Virginia was en route from the port of Tromsø, the media reported, adding that an escorting Norwegian Coast Guard vessel had to help free it from its nets.
Lt. Pierson Hawkins, a spokesman for the US 6th Fleet, confirmed the basic details of the incident to BI, but declined to confirm the name of the vessel.
No one was injured in the incident, he said, adding: “The investigation into the cause of the incident is still ongoing.”
Speaking about the compensation issue, Hawkins said: “Generally, when the US is responsible for damage to civilian equipment, there is a claims process for reimbursement.”
Hawkins did not describe what the submarine was doing off the coast of Norway, beyond the fact that it was leaving Tromsø.
Source: www.cotidianul.ro
