Two Navy vessels collided yesterday off the coast of northeastern Florida, there were no injuries aboard the submarine and cruiser involved in the collision.
According to a Navy statement the submarine USS Montpelier (SSN 765) and the Aegis cruiser USS San Jacinto (CG 56) collided at approximately 3:30 p.m. ET.
The statement adds that there were no injuries aboard either ship and
that the submarine's nuclear powered reactor "was unaffected by this
collision."
The incident is under investigation.
A Navy official
says the two ships were participating in a "group sail" along with
another vessel. The three ships were participating in an anti-submarine
exercise in preparation for an upcoming deployment as part of the
strike group for the aircraft carrier USS Harry S Truman.
The Navy official says that at approximately 3:30 p.m. the bridge watch aboard the San Jacinto
saw the submarine Montpelier rise to periscope depth about 100 to 200
yards ahead of them. The bridge ordered an "all back," but still
collided with the sub.
According to the official, the initial assessment of damage is that
there was a complete depressurization of the sonar dome aboard the San
Jacinto. Located below the water line of surface warships, sonar domes
provide the bulbous shape to the bows of warships.
After the collision the official said the submarine surfaced and
communications were established between all the ships on the scene.
The carrier USS Harry S Truman is also there, available to provide assistance.
The two ships involved in the collision are both operating under their own power.
Collisions between Navy submarines and surface warships are rare.
In March, 2009 the submarine USS Hartford suffered severe damage to its
Con tower after colliding with the amphibious transport ship USS New
Orleans in the Strait of Hormuz. The subsequent investigation found
fault for the collision lay with the commanders aboard the submarine.
Several officers and crew aboard the submarine were later disciplined
for their roles.
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