On Wednesday night, the USS Harry S. Truman, a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier, collided with a commercial ship near Egypt's Port Said.
U.S. Aircraft Carrier Involved in Collision in the Mediterranean
U.S. Aircraft Carrier Involved in Collision in the Mediterranean
A merchant vessel and the USS Harry S. Truman collide near Egypt without injuries reported.
The U.S. Navy reported that the USS Harry S. Truman collided with a merchant vessel in the Mediterranean Sea shortly before midnight on Wednesday, according to Navy officials. The Nimitz-class carrier has been active in the Red Sea and deployed under U.S. Central Command since December 14, where it has participated in airstrikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen. These militias have previously targeted vessels associated with Israel and endangered maritime safety.
Fortunately, there have been no reports of flooding or injuries on the USS Truman, and the Navy confirmed that the ship’s propulsion systems, powered by two nuclear reactors, remain in a safe and stable condition. An investigation into the collision is currently underway. The commercial vessel involved, a bulk carrier named Besiktas-M, built in 2003 and flagged under Panama, was en route from Aqaba in Jordan to Constanta, Romania at the time of the incident. Reports confirm that the crew of the merchant ship is unharmed.
This incident near Port Said signifies a notable break from previous patterns of safety within the U.S. Navy, particularly following severe collisions in 2017 that resulted in the deaths of 17 sailors and were identified as avoidable due to crew errors. These earlier crashes prompted a safety evaluation and considerable command changes, including the relief of several high-ranking officers. As investigations proceed, the Navy continues to emphasize maritime safety and operational readiness.
Fortunately, there have been no reports of flooding or injuries on the USS Truman, and the Navy confirmed that the ship’s propulsion systems, powered by two nuclear reactors, remain in a safe and stable condition. An investigation into the collision is currently underway. The commercial vessel involved, a bulk carrier named Besiktas-M, built in 2003 and flagged under Panama, was en route from Aqaba in Jordan to Constanta, Romania at the time of the incident. Reports confirm that the crew of the merchant ship is unharmed.
This incident near Port Said signifies a notable break from previous patterns of safety within the U.S. Navy, particularly following severe collisions in 2017 that resulted in the deaths of 17 sailors and were identified as avoidable due to crew errors. These earlier crashes prompted a safety evaluation and considerable command changes, including the relief of several high-ranking officers. As investigations proceed, the Navy continues to emphasize maritime safety and operational readiness.
