AAV sinks during training off Hawaii

[unhappycamper]

AAV sinks during training off Hawaii
By William Cole - The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted : Wednesday Jan 14, 2009 7:09:33 EST

A 23-ton Marine Corps amphibious vehicle sank Monday night while conducting a platoon training exercise off Marine Corps training area Bellows in Hawaii, officials said.

There were no injuries to crew members, who were safely evacuated by another assault amphibious vehicle, or AAV, participating in the training exercise, Marine Corps Base Hawaii said.

The Corps said the AAV was hit by a swell more than half a mile off shore.

The wave caused the tracked vehicle to strike a reef, and it began taking on water, officials said. The Combat Assault Company AAV Platoon was conducting scheduled AAV water operations.

The tracked vehicle lost power while attempting to reach the shoreline and subsequently sank at about 6:30 p.m. approximately 500 feet from shore, officials said.


Rest of article at; http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2009/01/marine_aavsinks_011309w/%2e