Royal Navy: Collision in the harbour of Bahrain

LONDON - Two British Royal Navy minesweepers have collided while manoeuvring in the port of Bahrain, according to the local Ministry of Defence.

It happens in every navy in the world - and many a day on the bridge of a warship is a "bad day in the office" that really wasn't needed. That's what's happened to the Royal Navy now, and with it being reported all over the media, we can't escape it. Old commanders and experienced captains should watch the video below with caution - it brings back memories of the risks and side effects of their own seagoing days! The "Buccaneer Report" by Fritz Graßhoff also states: ... ... and there is bad luck at sea!

Nobody was injured in the accident, it was reported, but HMS "Bangor" (Sandown class - M109, 52.5 metres long) was severely damaged. A large hole appeared above the waterline in the hull of the boat, which is made of fibreglass (GRP). An accident investigation has been initiated, which will also clarify the cause of the collision.

Minehunter HMS Bangor (M 109), Sandown class, in Bahrain. RNMB Harrier alongside. Photo: Royal Navy/Crown Copyright

HMS "Bangor" is the last single-role minehunter of the Royal Navy's once 15-unit Sandown class to remain in service, having only been laid down for the last time at the beginning of January in Scotland on the last sister ship of the White Ensign. The Sandown class was also quickly taken out of service and transferred to other navies (Romania, Ukraine) for secondary use in order to create "financial leeway" for the procurement of the autonomous minehunting platforms RNMB (RN Minehuntung Boat). Although the RNMB Harrier has been deployed in the Gulf since 2023, it is not yet fully operational. In this respect, this accident represents a real loss of capability for coalition forces in the region, especially in the current threat situation.

HMS "Chiddingfold" (Hunt class, hull also made of GRP, 60 metres long) and HMS "Bangor" belong to the Combined Maritime Force and are two of the three Royal Navy minehunters deployed to support maritime security operations (UK: Operation Kipion) in the area of responsibility of the US 5th Fleet. Their mission portfolio now also includes Operation Prosperity Guardian to protect shipping in the Red Sea from attacks by Houthi forces in Yemen.

However, this is already the second accident involving the "Chiddingfold", which collided with HMS "Penzance", also Sandown-class, off the coast of Bahrain in 2021.

The video shows HMS "Chiddingfold" reversing with the sternpost into HMS "Bangor".

Watch the video

Background

Under the United States Central Command (USCENTCOM, Tampa, Florida), one of the eleven Unified Combatant Commands of the U.S. Department of Defense, and its maritime component, the United States Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT, Bahrain). Department of Defense, and its maritime component, the United States Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT, Bahrain), responsible for the sea areas around the Arabian Peninsula - the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman and Persian Gulf - the United States Fifth Fleet is grouped with the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) established in its command for multinational coalitions. It currently comprises five task forces with a total of 40 participating nations, including

• Combined Task Force 150 (CTF-150) - Maritime Security & Counter-Terrorism (Gulf of Oman, Indian Ocean)
• Combined Task Force 151 (CTF-151) - Counter-piracy (Gulf of Aden, east coast of Africa)
• Combined Task Force 152 (CTF-152) - Persian Gulf Security Cooperation (Persian Gulf)
• Combined Task Force 153 (CTF-153) - Red Sea Maritime Security (since 2022, Red Sea and Gulf of Aden)
• Combined Task Force 154 (CTF 154) - Maritime Security Training (since 2023, CMF HQ and bases in the sea area)

Source: gCaptain, navy lookout, wikipedia.