Royal Navy officer guilty of abandoning night watch on frigate

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 2 Oct, 15:54 · Archive

A Royal Navy officer has been found guilty of negligently abandoning night watch duty on a £143m frigate.

Lieutenant Samuel Hanney, an officer of the watch in the Royal Navy, was found guilty at Bulford Military Court in Wiltshire of negligent performance of a duty. The incident occurred on 3 April 2025, when Hanney abandoned his night watch on a £143 million frigate.

Hanney left an unqualified trainee officer, Lieutenant Thomas McNally, as the only person responsible for keeping watch over the vessel. The court determined that Hanney had negligently left the trainee in charge of the ship's safety.

How it is being reported

• Royal Navy officer abandoned night watch on £143 million frigate leaving 'scared' trainee in chargeDaily Mail · 2 Oct, 15:40
• Royal Navy officer found guilty of abandoning night watch duty and leaving trainee with £143m ship’s safetyThe Independent · 2 Oct, 10:44

In this story: Royal Navy · Lieutenant Samuel Hanney · Lieutenant Thomas McNally · Bulford Military Court

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