MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

HMS Endurance to be replaced; crew could face disciplinary action

HMS Endurance

British sailors could face court-martial action over HMS Endurance's near-sinking in the South Atlantic, reveals The Newscan. Royal Navy chiefs are carrying out a disciplinary probe after finishing an inquiry into the accident off Chile.

Crew members could now face external court martial or internal career penalties if they are found to be at fault for the accident.

It comes as the navy looks to scrap the ship because the £30 million repair cost is close to three times what was first estimated. While the navy insists disciplinary action was not a foregone conclusion, defence sources say it is highly likely someone will be held accountable for the incident.

“I would be very surprised if someone didn't have to answer why the ship was nearly lost as it was” they said.

“There's several options open to the navy, and in previous instances like this there has been disciplinary action”.

Portsmouth-based Endurance, nicknamed the Red Plum because of her colourful hull, lost power and propulsion when her engine room flooded last December.

The ice patrol ship has been berthed at the naval base since she was towed back from the Falkland Islands in April. The navy originally said it intended to repair her.

But The News understands that it now favours leasing or buying another ship that would carry the name Endurance.

The navy's official report into the accident will not be published until after the disciplinary investigation.

Portsmouth South MP Mike Hancock, who sits on the Commons defence committee, today called for the report to be made public.

“It seems the navy is hiding from difficult decisions behind the discipline issue” he said.

“If someone is at fault then they should be charged accordingly, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't be given answers about what happened.

“Going forward, it seems clear that the navy will scrap Endurance because of her lifespan – she's only got four or five years left and you could buy the bulk of a new ship for £30m”.

A navy spokesman said: “A service inquiry and technical investigation have been completed and a disciplinary investigation is continuing. We are looking at the most cost-effective options for the taxpayer, and we haven't taken any decisions yet.

“We have the intention, subject to operational needs, to send HMS Scott to Antarctica to cover the coming southern hemisphere summer”.

By Matt Jackson, Defence correspondent, Portsmouth News