2 US Sailors die after falling off a submarine leaving port in the UK.

LONDON - Two U.S. sailors died after waves swept them from the deck of a nuclear submarine off the coast of southwestern England on Friday, British coast guards said.

The USS Minneapolis-St. Paul was leaving Plymouth harbor in rough weather around midday, said Sean Brooks, a coast guard spokesman. Four sailors were tied to the vessel with ropes — a routine precaution — but two fell into the surging water.

British rescue boats picked up all four, Brooks said.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16395292/

:( God rest their souls :(

That just doesn't sound right.... ropes? I can see lashing a person on deck with rope, in the 19th century, but now???? What about a harness with a snap at the end of the tether? And no mention of PFDs. Would like to know what SOP is in this case.
In any case T and P's for the families.

God rest their souls. Prayers for the families. This is a sad thing.

Prayers for their families

That just doesn't sound right.... ropes? I can see lashing a person on deck with rope, in the 19th century, but now???? What about a harness with a snap at the end of the tether? And no mention of PFDs. Would like to know what SOP is in this case.
In any case T and P's for the families.

Probably harnesses with PFDs but they're getting tossed around along the hull of a 7000 ton ship with round sides and no rail in stoemy seas. If the navy calls 'em stormy you bet they were big seas...

Probably harnesses with PFDs but they're getting tossed around along the hull of a 7000 ton ship with round sides and no rail in stoemy seas. If the navy calls 'em stormy you bet they were big seas...

I would agree. They are on a long tether and it doesnt take much of a sea to ride up on the hull. I know what its like to go from calm to breaking surf in a snap and there is no way to make the bad waves go away.
I had the misfortune to be around (not on scene) when the same thing happened at the mouth of the Piscatiqua the difference being the sea trial sub did what they do without bringing the entire crew in, they would not for whatever reason respond to vhf fm