Not so astute

If THE persistent stories about the contract to build HMS Astute and her sister ships are even partly accurate then the “fiasco” of her grounding at Kyle (your report, 24 April) is a flea-bite by comparison.

It seems BAE Systems has the Ministry of Defence so tightly sewn into a detailed contract that it has to be paid for a number of submarines which are fitted out with long obsolete technology, so that the first year after delivery is spent stripping out millions of pounds worth of electronics and replacing them with up-to-date systems. Remember that Astute is only the first to be delivered under this contract.

Irvine Inglis

Reston

Berwickshire

Your report on HMS Astute highlights a basic failing of seamanship. It does not matter how large or how complex the ship, the basic principles apply.

As a third generation at sea despite the best efforts of both world wars to sink my grand- father and father (sunk twice) I feel this recent incident illustrates that the principles of seamanship override all the complex electronic equipment available. Basic navigation can never be replaced with the decision making of a confident officer on the bridge.

Bruce D Skivington

Strath

Gairloch, Wester Ross

Perhaps we need some new words to an old song: “Stuck, bonny boat, like a bird without wings, running aground off Skye.”

Tony Box

Strathalmond Road

Edinburgh