More Bad News For USS Columbus

In addition to the hazing charges against seven Sailors I discussed earlier, the USS Columbus (SSN 762) is apparently facing other challenges as they try to finish their DMP. From an article by Elaine Helm in The Kitsap Sun (annoying free registration -- where they ask for your home address for some unknown reason -- required):

"In a move unrelated to the hazing investigations, the sub’s executive officer has been relieved of his position, Rojas said. Lt. Cmdr. Shawn Nisbett, Columbus’ second in command, was transferred off the sub after an April 21 arrest by Poulsbo police.
"Rojas declined to provide any details about why Nisbett was arrested.
"The sub’s maintenance work at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard is nearly 90 percent complete — and more than six months overdue. The Columbus was scheduled to undergo a 13-month depot modernization period, but it has been at the shipyard since September 2004.
"PSNS spokeswoman Mary Anne Mascianica said resources from the Columbus project were "assigned to higher priority work but have now been restored."

That's too bad about the XO (I crossed paths with LCDR Nisbett a few times), but I'm wondering if the Navy is maybe being a little bit disingenuous is saying that his firing wasn't due at all to the hazing charges. In any event, hopefully he'll be able to work through whatever personal issues he's dealing with.

Staying at PD...