WASHINGTON, Nov 4 (CGTN) - Three top commanders of USS Connecticut were relieved of duty Thursday due to "loss of confidence" after the U.S. submarine hit "uncharted seamount" while operating in the South China Sea in early October, according to a U.S. Seventh Fleet statement.

The investigation found that "sound judgement, prudent decision-making and adherence to required procedures in navigation planning, watch team execution and risk management could have prevented the incident.”