The U.S.S. Harry S. Truman struck a commercial ship near Egypt, marking a significant incident for the Navy, known for prior accidents.
U.S. Navy Aircraft Carrier Collides with Merchant Vessel in Mediterranean
U.S. Navy Aircraft Carrier Collides with Merchant Vessel in Mediterranean
A collision involving the U.S.S. Harry S. Truman raises safety concerns amidst ongoing military operations.
In a concerning incident, the U.S.S. Harry S. Truman, a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, collided with a merchant vessel off the coast of Egypt on Wednesday night. The Navy confirmed that the collision occurred in the Mediterranean Sea near Port Said but reported no injuries or flooding on board the Truman, which was deployed under U.S. Central Command since mid-December.
The U.S.S. Harry S. Truman had been active in operations against Houthi militants in Yemen, who have allegedly been targeting civilian shipping. Fortunately, the Navy stated that the ship's nuclear-powered propulsion systems remain "unaffected and in a safe and stable condition," and the incident is currently under investigation.
The vessel involved in the accident, the Besiktas-M, a bulk carrier flagged under Panama, was reported to be en route from Aqaba in Jordan to Constanta in Romania without any injuries to its crew. This incident comes after a relatively safe period for the U.S. Navy, following significant crashes with commercial ships in 2017 that highlighted issues with ship safety and crew training.
Following those previous incidents, where 17 sailors lost their lives due to avoidable errors, the Navy undertook a comprehensive review of its operational protocols, which resulted in heightened safety measures across the fleet. The recent collision raises questions about whether sufficient improvements have been made, particularly as it occurs during heightened military activity in the region.
With investigations underway, the implications of the accident will be closely monitored, along with its potential impacts on U.S.-Egypt relations and maritime security in the Mediterranean.
The U.S.S. Harry S. Truman had been active in operations against Houthi militants in Yemen, who have allegedly been targeting civilian shipping. Fortunately, the Navy stated that the ship's nuclear-powered propulsion systems remain "unaffected and in a safe and stable condition," and the incident is currently under investigation.
The vessel involved in the accident, the Besiktas-M, a bulk carrier flagged under Panama, was reported to be en route from Aqaba in Jordan to Constanta in Romania without any injuries to its crew. This incident comes after a relatively safe period for the U.S. Navy, following significant crashes with commercial ships in 2017 that highlighted issues with ship safety and crew training.
Following those previous incidents, where 17 sailors lost their lives due to avoidable errors, the Navy undertook a comprehensive review of its operational protocols, which resulted in heightened safety measures across the fleet. The recent collision raises questions about whether sufficient improvements have been made, particularly as it occurs during heightened military activity in the region.
With investigations underway, the implications of the accident will be closely monitored, along with its potential impacts on U.S.-Egypt relations and maritime security in the Mediterranean.
