What event caused the PRIZ (AS-28) to sink to 600 FSW?

The PRIZ (AS-28) sinking to a depth of 600 feet of seawater (FSW) was primarily due to its entanglement with a hydrophone array. This entanglement effectively immobilized the submarine, preventing it from returning to the surface. Hydrophone arrays are underwater systems used to detect sound, and they can be quite extensive. When a submarine becomes tangled, it can lead to loss of control and, in some cases, result in descending to deeper depths if it cannot be freed or if buoyancy control systems are not operational. Understanding this incident emphasizes the importance of situational awareness and the operational challenges faced by submarines, especially in environments with complex underwater infrastructure.