Collision between Russian nuclear submarine and fishing boat

Nuclear submarine collides with fishing boat, ABC News, 23 Sept 11, A Russian nuclear submarine collided with a fishing boat off the country’s Pacific coast, damaging the outer shell of the naval vessel but causing no radiation leak, Russian news agencies reported overnight.

The nuclear reactor on the St George the Conqueror submarine was unaffected and radiation levels after Wednesday’s incident in Avachin Bay off Kamchatka Peninsula were normal, Interfax reported, citing a Russian navy source….

The defence ministry could not be reached for comment.

The submarine was moored at the nearby harbour of Vilyuchinsk for repairs to the hull, Interfax reported. Russia has the second largest submarine fleet in the world after the United States. It is building a new fleet of nuclear submarines due to carry the next generation of Bulava missiles, which may be operational as early as next year.

In 2000, the nuclear submarine Kursk sank in the Barents Sea after explosions on board, killing all 118 seamen on board.http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-09-23/nuke-sub-crashes-into-fishing-boat/2912466