This is the embarrassing moment a Royal Navy minesweeper crashed into another after an apparent mechanical failure left officers unable to stop it reversing, the latest in a string of incidents that have left Navy chiefs red-faced in recent weeks.
In a gaffe that could compromise UK operations in the Gulf at a crucial time, HMS Chiddingfold reversed into HMS Bangor, which was docked at a port in Bahrain.
The accident ripped a huge hole in the hull, which is constructed of glass reinforced plastic. There was internal damage but no injuries.
Navy sources suggested there was no timeline yet for when the vessel can return to frontline duties.
One said: ‘HMS Chiddingfold got stuck in reverse.
The accident ripped a huge hole in the hull, which is constructed of glass reinforced plastic (pictured)
![Navy sources suggested there was no timeline yet for when the vessel can return to frontline duties](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/01/20/10/80247263-12985495-Navy_sources_suggested_there_was_no_timeline_yet_for_when_the_ve-a-1_1705748207736.jpg)
Navy sources suggested there was no timeline yet for when the vessel can return to frontline duties
‘The understanding at the moment is when she was attempting to go astern, there was a malfunction.
‘The crew couldn’t alter her course so they were forced to look on helplessly as she careered into HMS Bangor’s rear quarter bow first.
‘Her interior was ripped apart too. The ship won’t be in action for a while.’
Rear Admiral Edward Ahlgren, Commander Operations, told the Telegraph he was ‘aware’ of the incident and ‘would like to stress that thankfully nobody was hurt in the collision, but some damage was sustained’.
‘Why this happened is still to be established. We train our people to the highest standards and rigorously enforce machinery safety standards, but unfortunately incidents of this nature can still happen.
‘I assure you that a full and thorough investigation is already under way and any changes in procedure that could prevent further incidents will be rapidly implemented. In the meantime, the UK will continue to play a key part in ensuring the safety of merchant shipping in the region.’
Footage of the collision was shared by military site Claims Bible and has since been viewed hundreds of thousands of times online.
Bangor is one of the Royal Navy’s seven Sandown-class mine counter-measures vessels.
![The ship plays an important role in ensuring the security of the UK and global trade routes. Pictured, damage aboard HMS Bangor after the crash](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/01/20/01/80247261-12985495-image-a-54_1705715449882.jpg)
The ship plays an important role in ensuring the security of the UK and global trade routes. Pictured, damage aboard HMS Bangor after the crash
Her standard crew of 39 includes mine warfare specialists and mine clearance divers.
Ordinarily she is based at the Clyde naval base in Faslane, Scotland, but she has been on long-term deployment to the Gulf.
According to the Ministry of Defence, Bangor is equipped with SeaFox unmanned underwater vehicles that trawl the ocean floor searching for mines.
While the ship plays an important role in ensuring the security of the UK and global trade routes, the incident is the last in a series of embarrassments faced by the Royal Navy.
Earlier this month, it was revealed that drastic shortages of sailors forced the Royal Navy to decommission two of its warships, HMS Westminster and HMS Argyll.
The warships were retired so that their crews could transfer to new frigates.
The retirement of HMS Westminster is controversial as it underwent expensive repairs in 2017 and only recently returned to service.
The decommissioning of the ships comes as record numbers of sailors, such as navy divers and engineers, are signing off. Many have been headhunted by private sector companies who can double their wages.
According to official statistics, the Royal Navy has performed the worst of the services for recruitment in the last 12 months.
Its intake of recruits dropped by 22.1 per cent in the 12 months to March 2023, while the RAF dropped by almost 17 per cent and the Army by nearly 15 per cent.
In response to the crisis serving Royal Marines have been offered £500 to persuade friends on ‘civvy street’ to enlist.
![Royal Navy chiefs have been pushed into the unprecedented move because nobody in uniform is either qualified for or interested in the £150,000 role](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/01/20/15/79680183-12986537-Royal_Navy_chiefs_have_been_pushed_into_the_unprecedented_move_b-a-9_1705763621852.jpg)
Royal Navy chiefs have been pushed into the unprecedented move because nobody in uniform is either qualified for or interested in the £150,000 role
![Chiefs want a retired or part-time officer to return to full service and are relying on social media to find them](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/01/20/15/79680185-12986537-Chiefs_want_a_retired_or_part_time_officer_to_return_to_full_ser-a-10_1705763625285.jpg)
Chiefs want a retired or part-time officer to return to full service and are relying on social media to find them
Recruitment is a growing issue in the Royal Navy, even among the top brass. Desperate Royal Navy chiefs turned to business social media site LinkedIn in their efforts to find a commander for their submarines and nuclear operations.
They have been pushed into the unprecedented move because nobody in uniform is either qualified for or interested in the £150,000 role.
Chiefs want a retired or part-time officer to return to full service and are relying on social media to find them.
Royal Navy ships have been deployed to protect international shipping lanes, which have been targeted by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, with around 30 cargo vessels and tankers being struck.
The attacks have continued despite UK and US air strikes on Houthi bases.