An unusual incident occurred in the Norwegian Sea: a fishing boat accidentally caught the American nuclear submarine USS Virginia in its net. The incident occurred about 200 kilometers off the coast of Norway, in an area where the interests of several countries traditionally intersect.
The USS Virginia, one of the US Navy’s newest submarines, is 115 meters (377 feet) long and weighs about 7,800 tons. The local coast guard notified fishermen returning to port that their net had become entangled in the submarine’s propellers. The Norwegian Coast Guard sent one of its ships to help free the ship by cutting the net.
At the beginning of the investigation it was learned that the submarine had not reported its presence in the North Sea. This has raised questions about coordination and compliance with security procedures between the United States and Norway.
The US Navy declined to comment on the details of the incident, but said there were no safety risks or injuries as a result of the incident.
The incident occurred amid rising tensions between Russia and Norway. Some experts speculate that the USS Virginia could be in the area in order to carry out a spy mission or a secret military operation, which has increased suspicions in Moscow.
Norway, being a key US ally in the region, is trying to maintain a balance in relations with Russia. However, this incident could complicate the diplomatic situation. Representatives of both countries have so far refrained from making harsh statements, pending the results of the investigation.
