Key Points and Summary – In October 2003, the nuclear-powered USS Hartford ran aground leaving La Maddalena, causing roughly $9 million in damage to her rudders, sonar dome, and electronics.
-No one was hurt and the reactor stayed intact, but the Los Angeles-class sub’s Mediterranean deployment was aborted and she spent seven months in repair.
PERSIAN GULF (March 20, 2009) The Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Hartford (SSN 768) is underway in the Persian Gulf after a collision with the amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18). Hartford sustained damage to her sail,
but the propulsion plant of the nuclear-powered submarine was unaffected by
this collision. (U.S. Navy photo/Released)
-Investigators found a damning pattern: sloppy navigation, long gaps between position fixes, ignored backup systems, and years of uncorrected training deficiencies.
-The commanding officer, squadron commander, and several crew were relieved.
-Italian outrage over the secrecy and nuclear risk underscored how a “routine” harbor departure can become a strategic and diplomatic liability.
How the USS Hartford Grounding Nearly Became a Nuclear Submarine Disaster
On October 25, 2003, the USS Hartford (SSN-768), a Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered fast attack submarine, ran aground while departing the NATO Naval Base at Santo Stefano Island in the La Maddalena archipelago off the northern coast of Sardinia, Italy.
This was one of many disasters that occurred involving a nuclear submarine.
While nuclear subs are usually relatively safe, any significant hull damage could risk hazardous reactor fallout, though this would require abnormally high stress.
In this case, the USS Hartford suffered no such damage, though the cost of repairs was staggeringly high.
Hartford Runs Aground
Before the incident, the command aboard the Hartford had been warned numerous times about unsafe navigation practices, which were either ignored or training had been improperly implemented.
The incident occurred shortly after midnight as the submarine maneuvered out of the harbor. The grounding caused approximately nine million dollars in damage to the vessel’s rudders, sonar dome, and electronic systems.
APRA HARBOR, Guam (Jan. 17, 2023) – The Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Key West (SSN 722) departs Apra Harbor, Guam, Jan. 17. Key West is one of five submarines assigned to Commander, Submarine Squadron 15. Commander, Submarine Squadron 15 is responsible for providing training, material and personnel readiness support to multiple Los Angeles-class fast attack submarines and is located at Polaris Point, Naval Base Guam. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Eric Uhden)
Fortunately, there were no injuries among the crew and no damage to the nuclear reactor. Still, the accident was serious enough to end the submarine’s deployment and require seven months of repairs at Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Virginia.
The USS Hartford had been in the first month of a planned six-month deployment in the Mediterranean when the mishap occurred.
After leaving its berth at La Maddalena, the submarine struck rocky shallows, forcing emergency repairs in Sardinia before it could safely cross the Atlantic for a full overhaul.
The damage included bent rudders, a scraped sonar dome, and compromised electronic equipment.
While the hull remained intact, the grounding raised significant concerns because the submarine operated a nuclear propulsion system and carried Tomahawk cruise missiles.
Aftermath and Investigation
Immediately after the incident, the U.S. Navy relieved several commanding officers, including Commander Christopher R. Van Metre, the submarine’s commanding officer, and Captain Greg Parker, commander of Submarine Squadron 22, who was aboard at the time.
Six other crew members, including two officers, were also disciplined. Rear Admiral P. Stephen Stanley stated that he had “no confidence” in their ability to command after the incident.
Beyond the internal disciplinary measures, the accident sparked diplomatic tensions. Italian officials were outraged, citing environmental risks and criticizing the U.S. Navy for initially attempting to keep the accident secret.
101210-N-5538K-056 PHILIPPINE SEA (Dec. 10, 2010) The Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Houston (SSN 713) takes part in a photo exercise as part of Keen Sword 2011. Keen Sword is a joint, bilateral exercise designed to strengthen Japan-U.S. military operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Casey H. Kyhl)
The story leaked when families of crew members learned the deployment had been abruptly cut short and shared details with the press.
Italian politicians condemned what they described as a “culture of silence,” noting that Italy had banned nuclear power decades earlier and viewed the presence of nuclear-powered vessels as unacceptable.
Shortly afterward, the Navy launched an investigation into the event, seeking to determine what exactly had gone wrong in what should have been a simple operation.
The investigation revealed a pattern of navigational, procedural, and leadership failures that culminated in the accident.
One of the primary causes was navigational error. The navigation team failed to maintain accurate fixes of the submarine’s position, going seven minutes between position checks, more than double the three-minute standard required for submarines operating in confined waters.
They also neglected to reconcile discrepancies between the primary navigation system and backup systems frequently enough, allowing errors to accumulate unnoticed.
Poor Training and Unfollowed Protocols
Poor training and procedural lapses compounded these mistakes. Repeated warnings about Hartford’s navigation practices had been issued as early as 2001.
Evaluations noted deficiencies in plotting accuracy, turn planning, and adherence to standards during simulations and certifications. In June 2003, an assessment found thirteen deficiencies in piloting practices, including failure to slow down when the crew could not fix the submarine’s position on charts.
While human error was the primary cause, investigators also cited equipment issues that contributed to the grounding, including ineffective cross-checking of navigation systems.
The responsibility also lies with the ship’s command, which did not respond appropriately to repeated errors.
The investigation concluded that the command climate aboard Hartford did not enforce rigorous navigation standards.
Leadership failed to correct deficiencies despite repeated warnings during training and evaluations. This lack of accountability created an environment where procedural shortcuts became normalized, ultimately leading to disaster.
Another Multi-Million Dollar Crash
Had things been worse, the incident could have been a complete disaster. The USS Hartford is a nuclear-powered submarine, meaning any hull breach near the reactor could have caused catastrophic environmental damage.
Additionally, the submarine carried Tomahawk cruise missiles, raising concerns about potential nuclear payloads, though the U.S. Navy did not confirm this.
Italian lawmakers were furious over the potential risks posed to civilian populations and criticized the secrecy surrounding U.S. military operations in Sardinia.
After the grounding, the Hartford underwent temporary repairs in Italy before sailing to Norfolk for a seven-month overhaul.
The incident cost millions of dollars and damaged U.S.-Italian relations. In response, the Navy implemented stricter oversight of submarine navigation practices and emphasized redundancy in navigation systems.
Despite these measures, Hartford was involved in another major mishap in 2009, colliding with the USS New Orleans in the Strait of Hormuz, which further highlighted systemic issues in submarine operations.
About the Author: Isaac Seitz
Isaac Seitz, a Defense Columnist, graduated from Patrick Henry College’s Strategic Intelligence and National Security program. He has also studied Russian at Middlebury Language Schools and has worked as an intelligence Analyst in the private sector.
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