Friday, October 22, 2010

Should a submarine really be a tourist attraction?

Submarines typically travel in the water. Usually below the surface of the water. So really, an average person doesn't get to see a submarine that often.

But when they run aground and then the tide goes further out... well, that's an event.

In Scotland right now there is a nuclear submarine which has just been towed back out to see by tugboats after running aground off the Isle of Skye. There is a good picture of the submarine - I think after it was saved - in the Guardian news.

The report says many people were on the shoreline watching the event. Stealthy. Well, I live beside an ocean as well, and I would be on the beach taking photos if a submarine started coming up on our shore. It would be thrilling. But should a working submarine really be a tourist attraction?

Are these water craft really that hard to steer? If they are that hard to steer, should they really be nuclear powered? The news article said they ran aground while doing an exercise in familiar waters. Does this mean the driver got a reckless driving ticket? Is the driver a rookie just learning how to aim that thing? Isn't that just a bit more than bloody dangerous?

Back in February 2009 I posted the question "What will collide next?" when two submarines crashed in the ocean and then two satellites crashed in outer space. I am once again struck by how badly these very expensive bits of technology are aimed or driven. Do the drivers just need some more sleep?

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