Norwegian Fishermen Snag USS Virginia Submarine

Norwegian fishermen experienced an unusual catch when their nets ensnared the USS Virginia, a 115-meter nuclear-powered US submarine, off the coast of Tromsø. The submarine, inadvertently caught while near the surface, dragged the fishing nets two nautical miles before the Norwegian Coast Guard intervened to cut it free. Captain Harald Engen, aboard the Øygutt, expressed surprise but not anger over the incident, noting the significant loss of his nets valued at around 40,000 Norwegian Krone. The US Navy confirmed the event, highlighting the strategic importance of the region for tracking Russian naval activities. Despite the financial setback, the fishermen gained a remarkable story to tell, as such incidents, though rare, have historical precedence in the area. An investigation is ongoing, and the US has a claims process for compensating damages caused by its operations.