The Japanese submarine Soryu has collided with a Hong-Kong registered merchant ship.
Three of the submarine's crew sustained minor injuries in the crash which occurred on Monday, government officials said.
The Soryu submarine suffered damage to its antenna mast along with its communication equipment forcing the crew to use a mobile phone to report the incident.
The Soryu is a diesel-electric submarine that has been in service since 2009.
The 84-metre (275ft) long submarine was still able to continue sailing as the damage was not major, officials said.
Bradley Martin, a former US navy captain disputed the claims. He told CNN: "I wouldn't call the damage 'minor'. The submarine can't dive and can't communicate."
Soryu seems to be an ill-fated name. At least she'll make home port this time---if they don't pick up any other dents on the way.
; Julia Child
