A Navy operator who accidentally fired a torpedo at a nuclear dockyard was allowed to return to work with a ‘get well’ package to restore his confidence.
A major investigation was launched after the unarmed 9ft missile was shot out of HMS Argyll while the ship was moored at Devonport Naval base in Plymouth.
A newly released file shows the misfire occurred after the operator failed to follow written safety instructions during maintenance tests in March 2014.
He did not have a Job Information Card (JIC), which covers safety precautions, to hand while he carried out the overdue check, the investigation found.
A Navy operator who accidentally fired a torpedo at a nuclear dockyard was allowed to return to work with a ‘get well’ package to restore his confidence. Above, the scene after the incident in 2014
A major investigation was launched after the unarmed 9ft missile was shot out of HMS Argyll (pictured) while the ship was moored at Devonport Naval base in Plymouth
The Test Variant Torpedo flew over a jetty and into a heavy-duty metal fence at the high-security dockyard, which services nuclear submarines. Nobody was hurt.
The investigation found that following the information card instructions would have averted the misfire during what was meant to be simulated testing.
It concluded: ‘The fact that the maintainer was not in possession of the JIC led to a lapse in correct procedure which in turn culminated in the jettison of the TVT.’
The Royal Navy report, released under the Freedom of Information Act, also found that the experienced engineer had wanted to carry out an overdue test.
It reads: ‘It is assessed that he seized an opportunity to conduct an overdue serial whilst the system was live and available to him. This may be viewed as a deviation from the intended plan.’
The redacted document recommended changes to operating procedures to prevent a repeat, including carrying out the task at sea rather than in port.
The Test Variant Torpedo flew over a jetty and into a heavy-duty metal fence at the high-security dockyard, which services nuclear submarines. Nobody was hurt. (File photo)
The operator was allowed to return to work with increased supervision ‘in the short term to rebuild confidence in his reliability and to rebuild his self-confidence’.
The report states: ‘The aim of this get well package is to leave him fully trusted by himself and Command, having absorbed the lessons identified by this incident and increased his experience levels in the process. Administrative action in the form of professional warning for reversion [demotion] is considered appropriate. In this instance disciplinary action for negligence may be appropriate, following legal advice.’
The ship’s commanding officer praised the operator’s ‘professional intent, initiative shown and genuine desire to be efficient and maintain the system’ in the report. But the officer continued: ‘He is however culpable in that he failed to follow the JIC or have a copy ready to hand.’
The report, released under the Freedom of Information Act, also found that the damage could have been worse. It reads: ‘The ejection of the drill weapon occurred at a time when the jetty was unusually clear of vehicles, stores and personnel. The height of tide also resulted in the weapon clearing the quayside, guardrail stanchions and after shore supply distribution box.
‘This would not have been the case for all states of tide and potentially more serious and damaging outcome could have resulted.’
The redacted document recommended changes to operating procedures to prevent a repeat, including carrying out the task at sea rather than in port. Above, Devonport Naval base