The U.S. Navy's USS Harry S. Truman was involved in a collision with a bulk carrier near Port Said, Egypt, on Wednesday night. According to Navy officials, the aircraft carrier was stationed in the Mediterranean after being deployed under U.S. Central Command since mid-December 2024, primarily engaged in launching airstrikes against Houthi forces in Yemen.
Fortunately, there were no reports of injuries among the crew on the Truman, and the vessel's nuclear propulsion systems were confirmed to be unaffected and stable. The collision involved the commercial ship Besiktas-M, which was traveling from Aqaba, Jordan, to Constanta, Romania. Reports indicate that the crew aboard the commercial vessel also suffered no injuries.
This incident marks a deviation from a recent trend of safety for U.S. Navy ships, particularly concerning collisions with commercial vessels. The most notable prior incidents occurred in 2017, resulting in the deaths of 17 sailors and culminating in a significant Navy safety review and personnel changes. Following those collisions, there was a comprehensive reevaluation of Navy operational protocols in an attempt to prevent similar accidents in the future.
As investigations into the latest collision unfold, the U.S. Navy is focused on ensuring navigational safety and operational readiness in an increasingly complex regional maritime environment.
Fortunately, there were no reports of injuries among the crew on the Truman, and the vessel's nuclear propulsion systems were confirmed to be unaffected and stable. The collision involved the commercial ship Besiktas-M, which was traveling from Aqaba, Jordan, to Constanta, Romania. Reports indicate that the crew aboard the commercial vessel also suffered no injuries.
This incident marks a deviation from a recent trend of safety for U.S. Navy ships, particularly concerning collisions with commercial vessels. The most notable prior incidents occurred in 2017, resulting in the deaths of 17 sailors and culminating in a significant Navy safety review and personnel changes. Following those collisions, there was a comprehensive reevaluation of Navy operational protocols in an attempt to prevent similar accidents in the future.
As investigations into the latest collision unfold, the U.S. Navy is focused on ensuring navigational safety and operational readiness in an increasingly complex regional maritime environment.
