Stress tests for British sub crew members

Since 05-01-04

Stress tests for British sub crew members

BBC News, 26 Apr 04

Eleven crew members of a Devonport-based nuclear submarine have been withdrawn from a major sea trial to undergo medical tests for stress.

The submariners were put ashore just hours before HMS Trafalgar was due to leave Faslane on the Clyde on Friday.

They left after 12 crew members raised concerns with the captain.

The Royal Navy says the action of the crew does not amount to a mutiny but admits the men could be suffering from delayed post-traumatic stress disorder.

Training accidents

In November 2002, Trafalgar ran aground off the Isle of Skye, causing £5m-worth of damage.

Earlier this month, three crew members were treated for smoke inhalation following a training exercise.

Last Monday, several crew members were overcome by diesel fumes on the submarine during another exercise.

Mike Critchley, editor of Warship World magazine, said: "From people I've talked to, this is being looked into extremely carefully by the navy as to what went on.

"The ship has obviously had a bad time in recent days, but it doesn't sound right that all of a sudden 11 men were landed and the submarine has to embark new crew members before going to sea ."

The results of the medical tests on the 11 submariners are still awaited.