Nuclear sub 'was using old charts'

A nuclear-powered submarine may have run aground on a shingle bank because the charts used by its crew were out of date.

The 100-metre-long HMS Astute was on sea trials on Friday when the rudder of the vessel is thought to have become stuck on the bank between Skye and Kyle of Lochalsh off the west coast of Scotland. The Royal Navy has launched an inquiry and one possibility being explored is that out-of-date charts had not accurately mapped the shifting sea channels in the area.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said the investigation would also consider if any crew were negligent. Commander Andy Coles, the skipper of the £3.5bn vessel, could find himself in front of a court martial if the inquiry recommends disciplinary action.