 Against orders, Britanov ordered the crew evacuated to the towing ship, while he remained onboard "K-219".Seeing that Britanov - in their judgement - was not acting efficiently enough, the Soviet Navy's high command ordered the security officer, Valery Pshenichnyy, to assume command and resume the patrol.Before that order could be carried out, "K-219" sank to the bottom of the Hatteras Abyss.