Washington — Two American Navy SEALs drowned while trying to board a ship carrying illicit Iranian-made weapons to Yemen due to blatant training failures and lack of understanding of what to do after falling into deep, turbulent waters, military investigation into deaths finds of January.
The review concluded that the drownings of Special Warfare Chief Christopher J. Chambers and Navy Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Nathan Gage Ingram could have been prevented.
But both sank quickly in the high seas off the coast of Somalia, weighed down by the heavy equipment they were carrying and ignoring or ignoring concerns that their flotation devices could not compensate for the extra weight. Both were lost at sea.
US Navy
The highly critical and heavily redacted report – written by a Navy officer outside Naval Special Warfare Command, which oversees the SEALs – concluded that there were “deficiencies, deficiencies and inconsistencies” in training, policies, tactics and procedures as well as “conflicting directives.” about when and how to use emergency flotation devices and supplemental buoyancy equipment that could have kept them alive.
The Associated Press obtained the report upon request before its public release.
The objective of the mission was to intercept weapons destined for the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen, who have since launched missile and drone attacks against commercial and US naval vessels in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Israel-Hamas war in Gaza started a year ago. American retaliation did not deter their attacks.
Chambers and Ingram, members of SEAL Team 3, died during a nighttime mission to board an unflagged ship in the Arabian Sea. Their names were redacted in the report, but officials confirmed that Chambers slipped and fell while climbing onto the ship’s deck and that Ingram jumped in to try to save him.
“Encumbered by the weight of each individual’s equipment, neither their physical capacity nor the emergency supplemental flotation devices, if activated, were sufficient to keep them afloat,” the counter wrote. Admiral Michael DeVore in the report.
The report states that Chambers was “intermittently” on the surface for 26 seconds after his fall and that Ingram was on the surface for approximately 32 seconds.
“The tragic event unfolded in just 47 seconds and two New South Wales warriors were lost at sea,” DeVore wrote, referring to Naval Special Warfare Command.
Properly maintained, well-functioning and properly used flotation equipment could have kept them afloat until their rescue, the report said. Other members of the team told investigators that although they knew the importance of their tactical flotation system – which includes two inflatable floats that attach to a belt and foam inserts that can be added – few had ever used one during training and there were few instructions on how to do so. wear it.
How Chambers and Ingram died
The report states that the team was operating in 6 to 8 foot seas and that although the vessel on board was rolling in the waves, the conditions were well within their capabilities.
However, over time, the rolling increased and Chambers attempted to board by jumping from the engine compartment of his combat craft to the top rail of the ship they were boarding, according to the report. Some commandos used a removable ladder, but because of the waves, others jumped onto the top rail, which they said was within reach but slippery.
Chambers’ hands slipped off the rail and he fell 9 feet into the water. According to the mission video, he managed to grab the bottom rung of the ladder, but when he turned around to try to return to the gunship, he was swept away by a wave.
Eleven seconds after his fall, Ingram jumped. For at least 10 seconds, the video shows they were intermittently above water and at times were able to grab a ladder extension that was submerged. But both were jostled by the waves. The last sighting of Chambers occurred approximately 26 seconds after he fell.
At one point, Ingram attempted to climb back up the ladder but was overwhelmed by a wave. He appeared to try to deploy his flotation device, but within two seconds an untethered waterwing was seen about a foot away from him. He also appeared to try to remove some of his equipment, but he slipped underwater and was not seen again. The depth of the sea was approximately 12,000 feet.
Both wore body armor and Ingram also wore radio equipment which added up to 40 extra pounds. Each of the inflatable floats can lift a minimum of 40 pounds in seawater, the report said.
Members of the SEAL team expressed “shock and disbelief” that Chambers, their best swimmer, could not stay afloat. The report concluded that the conflicting and thin guidance on flotation devices could have left it up to individuals to configure their buoyancy needs, which could lead to errors.
While SEALs regularly conduct “buddy checks” before the mission to examine everyone’s equipment, he said Ingram’s flotation gear may have been improperly attached and a closer look would have could discover it.
SEAL team members also told investigators that adding foam inserts makes the flotation device bulkier and makes it more difficult to climb or crawl.
The report states that SEAL Team 3 members began rapid and appropriate man-overboard procedures “within seconds,” and that two helicopters and two drones flew overhead providing surveillance, lighting and video of the mission.
After 10 days, the search was called off due to the depth of the water and the low probability of finding the two men.
“The Navy respects the sanctity of human remains and recognizes the sea as an appropriate and final resting place,” the report said.
Chambers, 37, from Maryland, enlisted in the Navy in 2012 and graduated from SEAL training in 2014. Ingram, 27, from Texas, enlisted in 2019 and graduated from SEAL training in 2021.
Losses lead to formation changes
In response to the investigation, Naval Special Warfare Command said changes were already being made to training and orientation.
He said the command was considering developing a force-wide policy to ensure water safety during maritime operations and was establishing standard procedures for buoyancy requirements.
Other changes would refine man-overboard procedures, pre-mission checks and maintenance of flotation devices. It also said it was investigating “fail-safe” buoyancy equipment and planned to review safety processes.
Rear Adm. Keith Davids, who led the command at the time of the mission, said he would learn from the tragic deaths and “doggedly pursue” recommended changes. Davids left his post in August during a routine change of command and is set to retire.
The report recommends that Ingram receive a heroism award for giving his life trying to save his teammate. This recommendation is currently under review. Both were promoted to rank posthumously.
According to a separate Defense Intelligence Agency report, the Jan. 11 mission seized Iranian “propulsion, guidance systems, and warheads” for medium-range ballistic missiles and anti-ship cruise missiles intended for the Houthis.
